AHA Coding Clinic® for HCPCS - 2012 Quarter 3; Ask the Editor
Sentinel Lymph Node Injection and Biopsy
Patient with multifocal right breast cancer presents to have a total right mastectomy with sentinel lymph node injection and biopsy. Subcutaneous tissue dissected down and flaps were elevated to the clavicle, sternum, and the rectus fascia. The breast was pulled medially and dissected out of the right axilla area. Two blue-stained sentinel nodes were removed and additional enlarged nodes were removed and they were sent for frozen section. A drain was placed, and the wound closed. Would CPT codes 19303 and 38500 be the correct codes for the mastectomy, sentinel, and additional lymph node removal? ...
Subscribe or sign in to view the full article.
Article Overview
This premium article reviews a breast surgery coding question involving mastectomy and lymph node assessment. It is aimed at coders and billing staff working with surgical oncology and breast procedures, and it addresses how the case is framed for CPT reporting, including related lymph node work and common documentation considerations.
Why This Topic Matters
Accurate reporting of breast and lymph node procedures depends on understanding which parts of the operation are separately coded and how the documentation supports those choices. This article helps readers assess relevance to surgical coding workflows for breast cancer cases.
What You Will Learn
- How this breast surgery case is presented for CPT coding review
- What documentation elements are highlighted in a mastectomy with lymph node assessment scenario
- How the article frames the coding question for related surgical services in breast oncology cases
- What types of CPT coding issues commonly arise in mastectomy and sentinel node procedures
Who Should Read This
- Medical coders
- Billing staff
- Auditors
- Surgical oncology coding professionals
Codes Discussed
Subscribe or sign in to view the full article.
Quick, Current, Complete - www.findacode.com