AMA CPT® Assistant - 2020 Issue 4 (April)
Frequently Asked Questions (April 2020)
April 2020 page 10 Frequently Asked Questions Surgery: Integumentary System Question: What is the appropriate CPT code(s) to report harvesting 90-cc fat graft and injecting this fat graft to revise a prior breast reconstruction? Answer: Assuming the fat harvest was by liposuction technique, it would be appropriate to report code 15771, Grafting of autologous fat harvested by liposuction technique to trunk, breasts, scalp, arms, and/or legs; 50 cc or less injectate, and add-on code 15772, Grafting of autologous fat harvested by liposuction technique to trunk, breasts, scalp, arms, and/or legs; each additional 50 cc injectate, or part thereof (List...
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Article Overview
This article collects April 2020 coding questions and answers across multiple specialties, with emphasis on CPT reporting considerations in surgical, diagnostic imaging, molecular pathology, and cardiovascular services. It is intended for coders, billers, auditors, and clinical documentation staff who need to understand the scope of the guidance and the types of procedures discussed before reviewing the full premium content.
Why This Topic Matters
The article helps readers identify whether the full FAQ content is relevant to their specialty or coding workflow, especially when working with complex procedures that may involve multiple CPT concepts or add-on reporting. It is useful for staying oriented to the general topics and code sets addressed in the source without exposing the full guidance.
Article Sections
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Surgery: Integumentary System
Questions in this section address coding issues related to integumentary procedures, including tissue harvesting and treatment of benign skin or wound-related conditions.
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Surgery: Musculoskeletal System
This section covers musculoskeletal procedure coding topics, including muscle reconstruction and associated operative components.
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Surgery: Hemic and Lymphatic System
Questions here focus on neck and lymphatic surgery coding, including broader operative approaches and related reporting considerations.
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Surgery: Digestive System
This section addresses digestive system coding questions involving colon surgery and related staging or lymph node work.
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Radiology: Diagnostic Radiology (Diagnostic Imaging)
This section discusses diagnostic imaging reporting for abdominal radiography performed as part of a transit study protocol.
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Pathology and Laboratory: Molecular Pathology
Questions in this section cover molecular pathology reporting for targeted gene analysis in a cancer-related specimen.
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Medicine: Cardiovascular
This section covers cardiovascular diagnostic service coding, including echocardiography and strain imaging topics.
What You Will Learn
- The general specialties and service categories covered in the April 2020 FAQ.
- Which types of CPT questions are addressed in surgical, radiology, pathology, and cardiovascular settings.
- The scope of the coding scenarios discussed, including procedures involving tissue grafting, resection, imaging, and molecular testing.
- How the article organizes questions by clinical and procedural specialty.
Who Should Read This
- Medical coders
- Billing staff
- Coding auditors
- Physician practices
- Hospital outpatient coding teams
- Clinical documentation improvement staff
Codes Discussed
Code Ranges Discussed
Modifiers Discussed
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