AMA CPT® Assistant - 2023 Issue 12 (December)
Bonus Questions and Answers (December 2023)
December 2023 page 44 Bonus Questions and Answers Surgery: Integumentary System Question: What is the appropriate code(s) to report when two separate excisions are made, one for a basal cell carcinoma (BCC) on the right clavicle with a maximum excised diameter of 2.3 cm and the other for a benign dysplastic nevus on the right shoulder with a maximum excised diameter of 2.5 cm? Given the proximity of the two lesions, both defects were closed with a single intermediate linear repair. Answer: Based on the documentation provided, it would be appropriate to report code 11603, Excision, malignant...
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Article Overview
This article presents a collection of bonus coding questions and answers from CPT Assistant for December 2023. It addresses broad CPT reporting topics across multiple specialties, including procedure bundling, separate reporting, telehealth, add-on services, and category III code updates. The piece is useful for coders, auditors, and billing staff who need to understand the scope of the guidance and the areas of CPT affected by these scenarios.
Why This Topic Matters
The article helps readers identify whether their coding question falls within the same general categories of CPT guidance discussed in this issue, especially when procedures, imaging, telehealth, or modifier use may overlap. It is relevant for professionals who need to compare their documentation and reporting approach against current CPT Assistant interpretations and code-set updates.
Article Sections
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Surgery: Integumentary System
Questions and answers addressing integumentary surgery reporting, including lesion excision scenarios and related wound repair considerations.
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Surgery: Maternity Care and Delivery
A maternity care question involving delivery-related reporting and how the service category is handled in a very early gestation scenario.
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Surgery: Nervous System
A nervous system coding question concerning reporting considerations for a neurostimulator-related procedure.
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Radiology: Diagnostic Radiology (Diagnostic Imaging)
A radiology question focused on whether imaging-related services are separately reported in the setting of a procedure that includes fluoroscopic work.
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Radiology: Diagnostic Ultrasound
A question addressing whether ultrasound guidance is separately reportable with a peripheral nerve procedure.
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Medicine: Cardiovascular
A cardiovascular coding discussion covering diagnostic angiography contrast injection reporting, add-on code use, and modifier considerations across CPT versions.
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Medicine: Psychiatry
A telehealth psychiatry question involving combined E/M and psychotherapy reporting, including modifier use and related CPT note references.
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Category III Codes
A question about reporting an imaging-guided percutaneous injection procedure and the relationship to an established Category III code in a later CPT year.
What You Will Learn
- How the article frames selected CPT reporting questions across several medical specialties.
- The general types of coding issues discussed, such as separate reporting, inherent services, and modifier use.
- How CPT Assistant addresses telehealth, add-on services, and code-set updates in a Q&A format.
- Which broad areas of CPT guidance are highlighted in the December 2023 bonus content.
Who Should Read This
- Medical coders
- Coding auditors
- Billing specialists
- Revenue cycle staff
- Physician practice compliance teams
- Clinical documentation staff
Codes Discussed
Code Ranges Discussed
Modifiers Discussed
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