Umbilicoplasty

A patient with a history of gastroschisis with silo repair subsequently developed periumbilical swelling and tenderness which appeared to be a hernia. A decision was made to perform a hernia repair. An incision was made with dissection through the dermis. The skin was raised under a skin tag in the lower left corner of the umbilicus. Underneath the skin tag was herniated fat. The 0.5 cm herniated fat defect was excised noting the underlying fascia was intact. Rather than a hernia, it was discovered that there was periumbilical scar tissue. The surrounding scar tissue was lysed and the inner margin of the initial incision was excised incorporating the skin tag. How is this umbilicoplasty coded? Is the unlisted integumentary CPT code 17999, correct when the dissection goes below the skin level? ...

Subscribe or sign in to view the full article.

articles:   
Note:  The following article synopsis was NOT provided by the AHA. It was created by Find-A-Code/innoviHealth.

Article Overview

This premium article reviews a coding question involving an umbilical reconstructive procedure in the setting of prior gastroschisis repair and presumed hernia. It explains the coding considerations for a procedure that included incision, dissection, excision of a small defect, and treatment of scar tissue, and it is aimed at professionals who assign CPT codes for surgical integumentary procedures.

Why This Topic Matters

It helps coders distinguish between unlisted and listed CPT options for a procedure involving the umbilicus and surrounding scar tissue after prior surgery.

What You Will Learn

  • How a postoperative umbilical procedure may be considered for CPT coding
  • What factors are discussed when evaluating whether an unlisted integumentary code is appropriate
  • How the article frames coding for excision and surrounding scar tissue treatment in an umbilicoplasty context
  • Why the depth of dissection is part of the coding question

Who Should Read This

  • Medical coders
  • Coding auditors
  • Revenue cycle professionals
  • Physician billing staff

Codes Discussed

  • CPT: 17999
  • CPT: 11400

Code Ranges Discussed

  • CPT: 11400, Excision, benign lesion including margins, except skin tag (un

Subscribe or sign in to view the full article.

articles:   

The AHA Coding Clinic for HCPCS includes:

  • The official publication for Level I HCPCS (CPT-4 codes) for hospital providers
  • Also specific Level II HCPCS codes for hospitals, physicians and other health professionals
  • Current newsletters added each quarter
  • Full Archives back to 2001
  • Fully searchable through Find-A-Code's Comprehensive Search
  • Codes mentioned in articles are linked to Code Information pages
  • Code Information page link back to related articles
  • View all the articles associated with any code, right from the code page!
Access to this feature is available in the following products:
  • AHA's Coding Clinic® - HCPCS +Archives

demo
request yours today
 subscribe
start today
 newsletter
free subscription

Thank you for choosing Find-A-Code, please Sign In to remove ads.

Aimee- AI -powered coding assistant - Try it now for Free Would you like Aimee - AI
to help you with this?