AMA CPT® Assistant - 2002 Issue 11 (November)
Excision of Lesions (November 2002)
November 2002 pages 5-8 Coding Communication: Excision of Lesions Illustrations for this article: Illustration 1 Illustration 2 Illustration 3 For CPT 2003, the excision of lesion codes in the integumentary section have undergone extensive revisions. These changes were made in order to clarify some of the confusion surrounding how these codes should be reported. Specifically, revisions were made to the excision-benign lesions and excision-malignant lesions subsections. For instance, the definition of "excision" was changed to reflect a full-thickness (through the dermis) removal of a lesion, including margins, and includes simple (non-layered) closure, when performed. Additionally, new language was included...
Subscribe or sign in to view the full article.
Article Overview
This CPT Assistant article explains November 2002 coding updates for lesion excision and Mohs micrographic surgery in CPT 2003. It is aimed at coders and billing professionals who need to understand the scope of the revisions, the affected code families, and the related documentation and reporting guidance at a high level. The article also notes errata and illustration corrections tied to the updated CPT material.
Why This Topic Matters
It helps readers identify that the article covers significant CPT 2003 integumentary and Mohs surgery revisions, so they can determine whether they need the full guidance for accurate reporting and code selection.
Article Sections
-
November 2002 pages 5-8
Introductory publication details and a brief overview of the coding communication topic. The section frames the article as an update related to CPT 2003 revisions.
-
Coding Communication: Excision of Lesions
Overview of revisions affecting lesion excision reporting in the integumentary section. The discussion focuses on guideline and descriptor updates, measurement concepts, and related reporting changes.
-
Choosing the Appropriate Excised Diameter
Discussion of how the revised guidance addresses measurement concepts for lesion excision reporting. The section uses general examples to illustrate the updated approach.
-
Clinical Vignette
A clinical scenario describing reporting considerations for excised lesions at different sites. The vignette illustrates how the article presents revised excision reporting concepts.
-
Clinical Vignette
A second clinical scenario involving postoperative revision of a prior excision. The section addresses related reporting concepts for subsequent-session work.
-
Mohs Micrographic Surgery
Introduction to the revised Mohs micrographic surgery section in CPT 2003. It summarizes the scope of the code family and the related guideline changes.
-
Destruction Section Revisions
Discussion of revised Mohs-related reporting language and associated pathology references. The section also addresses changes to the structure of the Mohs code series.
-
Reporting the Changes
Explanation of how the revised Mohs code series is described in CPT 2003 and how related pathology services are referenced. The section focuses on the update itself rather than detailed selection rules.
-
Notice to CPT 2003 Book Users
Correction notice for a CPT 2003 book text reference and illustration captions. This section provides errata information for users of the printed edition.
What You Will Learn
- What CPT 2003 changes are described for lesion excision reporting
- What parts of the Mohs micrographic surgery section were revised
- What related errata and illustration corrections are noted for CPT 2003
- What general categories of coding guidance and code-family updates the article addresses
Who Should Read This
- Medical coders
- Coding educators
- Billing and reimbursement staff
- Dermatology and surgery coding professionals
- Compliance and documentation staff
Codes Discussed
Code Ranges Discussed
Modifiers Discussed
Subscribe or sign in to view the full article.
Quick, Current, Complete - www.findacode.com
