AMA CPT® Assistant - 2019 Issue 9 (September)
Frequently Asked Questions (September 2019)
September 2019 page 10-end Frequently Asked Questions Surgery: Integumentary System Question: A surgeon used a pulsed-dye laser (PDL) to devascularize hypervascular scars; however, lesions are not destructed. Is it appropriate to report CPT code 17106 in this instance? Answer: No, a hypervascular scar is not a proliferative vascular lesion; therefore, it is not appropriate to report CPT code 17106 , Destruction of cutaneous vascular proliferative lesions (eg, laser technique); less than 10 sq cm. The unlisted code 17999 , Unlisted procedure, skin, mucous membrane and subcutaneous tissue, should be reported instead. When reporting an unlisted code to describe a procedure or...
Subscribe or sign in to view the full article.
Article Overview
This September 2019 FAQ article from CPT Assistant reviews a range of coding questions spanning surgery, radiology, and medicine. It is useful for coders, billing staff, and clinicians who need to understand how the article treats code selection, add-on reporting, modifier use, and documentation-related issues across different service areas. The article covers several specialties and highlights general CPT coding guidance without serving as a replacement for the full explanations in the premium text.
Why This Topic Matters
The article helps readers determine whether their scenario falls within the same coding topics addressed by the FAQ and whether the premium guidance is relevant to their work. It also supports search and retrieval for CPT-related questions involving surgical procedures, imaging, testing, and documentation expectations.
Article Sections
-
Surgery: Integumentary System
Addresses a coding question involving laser treatment in the integumentary system and whether an unlisted procedure approach is appropriate when the service does not fit a standard code description.
-
Surgery: Respiratory System
Covers multiple laryngeal and airway procedures, including direct and flexible endoscopic services, laser-related treatment, and tracheostomy coding considerations.
-
Surgery: Cardiovascular
Discusses intracardiac ablation reporting in the context of atrial fibrillation treatment and related add-on coding concepts.
-
Surgery: Digestive System
Reviews coding for laparoscopic intestinal diversion procedures, biopsies, and the possible use of modifier reporting when operative work is extensive.
-
Surgery: Urinary System
Addresses renal autotransplantation coding and the circumstances under which two surgeons may be reported for different parts of the same procedure.
-
Surgery: Male Genital System
Explains coding considerations for prostate cryoablation and associated imaging guidance from different modalities.
-
Surgery: Eye and Ocular Adnexa
Covers a micro-invasive glaucoma surgery scenario involving canaloplasty and goniotomy-related reporting questions.
-
Radiology: Diagnostic Radiology (Diagnostic Imaging)
Discusses post-processing and fluoroscopy reporting questions in diagnostic imaging, including the scope of 3D rendering codes and time-based fluoroscopy reporting.
-
Medicine: Central Nervous System Assessments/Tests (eg, Neuro-Cognitive, Mental Status, Speech Testing)
Addresses psychological and neuropsychological testing administration and scoring, with attention to time accounting and related evaluation services.
What You Will Learn
- How the article frames coding questions across multiple CPT sections
- Which general service categories are discussed in the FAQ
- What kinds of documentation and reporting issues are emphasized
- How the article handles add-on code and modifier topics at a high level
- Which specialties and procedures are the focus of the September 2019 questions
Who Should Read This
- Medical coders
- Coding auditors
- Billing staff
- Physician practices
- Facility revenue cycle teams
- Clinical documentation staff
Codes Discussed
Modifiers Discussed
Subscribe or sign in to view the full article.
Quick, Current, Complete - www.findacode.com
