Frequently Asked Questions (August 2019)

August 2019 page 10 Frequently Asked Questions Surgery: Integumentary System Question: What Current Procedural Terminology (CPT®) code should be reported when a surgeon implants a synthetic graft mesh for soft-tissue reinforcement into the post-mastectomy surgical site? The implant is neither a human dermis nor a xenograft. Answer: Currently, there is no specific code that describes the implantation of a nonbiologic mesh into the post-mastectomy surgical site. Therefore, code 19499, Unlisted procedure, breast, should be reported for this procedure. When reporting an unlisted code to describe a procedure or service, it is necessary to submit supporting documentation (eg, procedure...

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

Article Overview

This August 2019 FAQ article from CPT Assistant reviews a series of coding questions spanning surgery, pathology and laboratory, and medicine. It is useful for coders, billers, and auditors who need a high-level understanding of the types of CPT guidance covered, including unlisted procedures, procedure selection, bundled service issues, modifier use, and reporting considerations for diagnostic and therapeutic services.

Why This Topic Matters

It helps readers determine whether the full article is relevant to their coding questions and clarifies that the guidance spans several specialties and service types rather than a single clinical area.

Article Sections

  1. Surgery: Integumentary System

    Questions and guidance involving a breast-related surgical scenario and reporting considerations for a post-mastectomy procedure.

  2. Surgery: Musculoskeletal System

    Questions and guidance involving fracture repair, soft-tissue reinforcement, fat grafting, and related surgical reporting topics.

  3. Surgery: Urinary System

    Questions and guidance involving a urinary system biopsy scenario with imaging support and reporting of related services.

  4. Surgery: Female Genital System

    Questions and guidance involving treatment of a vulvar condition using a laser-based procedure.

  5. Surgery: Nervous System

    Questions and guidance involving chemodenervation reporting for injections affecting more than one muscle area.

  6. Surgery: Eye and Ocular Adnexa

    Questions and guidance involving retinal detachment repair and related ophthalmic procedure reporting.

  7. Pathology and Laboratory: Cytogenic Studies

    Questions and guidance involving chromosome analysis reporting and the possible use of a modifier in a laboratory setting.

  8. Medicine: Ophthalmology

    Questions and guidance involving remote retinal imaging for screening and ophthalmology reporting considerations.

What You Will Learn

  • The range of CPT coding topics addressed in this FAQ article
  • Which specialties are covered in the August 2019 questions
  • How the article approaches reporting issues such as unlisted services, imaging support, and modifiers
  • Which kinds of procedure-reporting scenarios are discussed at a high level
  • How CPT Assistant frames coding guidance for selected surgical, laboratory, and ophthalmology services

Who Should Read This

  • Medical coders
  • Coding auditors
  • Physician and facility billing staff
  • Compliance staff
  • Clinical documentation teams

Codes Discussed

Code Ranges Discussed

Modifiers Discussed


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Welcome to the ultimate resource for mastering CPT coding – the CPT® Assistant. This indispensable tool, brought to you by the American Medical Association (AMA), is designed specifically for medical coders, auditors, and billers who strive for accuracy and efficiency in their daily work with patient charts. Whether you are validating codes, training staff, or appealing insurance denials, CPT Assistant provides the authoritative guidance you need to excel.

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With CPT Assistant, you can navigate the complexities of medical coding with unparalleled confidence. This resource offers authoritative answers and expert explanations that help reduce coding errors, leading to fewer claim denials and streamlined appeals processes. The comprehensive archive of articles, updated monthly, ensures you always have the most current information at your fingertips, enhancing your ability to stay ahead of industry changes and trends.

CPT Assistant’s visual aids, such as anatomical illustrations and procedural charts, make complex codes easier to understand, improving your accuracy and efficiency. By integrating this resource into your daily workflow, you can save valuable time and enhance your productivity.

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