AMA CPT® Assistant - 1999 Issue 3 (March)
Modifier -51, 17304-17310 (Q&A) (March 1999)
March 1999 page 11b Coding Consultation Modifier -51, 17304-17310 (Q&A) Question Is it appropriate to use modifier -51, Multiple procedures, when only reporting the codes in the 17304 - 17310 for Mohs' Micrographic Surgery? AMA Comment No. It would not be appropriate to append the -51 modifier to codes 17304 - 17310 when performing only Moh's micrographic surgery for the removal of complex or ill-defined skin cancer. As indicated by the code symbol appearing before codes 17305 - 17310 , these codes are exempt from the use of the -51 modifier. However, code 17304 is not exempt from the...
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Article Overview
This article is a short CPT coding consultation from March 1999 focused on a modifier-related question involving the Mohs micrographic surgery code family. It helps coders, auditors, and billing staff understand the scope of the discussion, which centers on procedure reporting, multiple procedures, and related surgical services under CPT guidance.
Why This Topic Matters
It provides historical CPT guidance on a narrow reporting issue that can affect claim accuracy, code selection context, and modifier usage review for dermatologic surgery services.
What You Will Learn
- The article’s coding topic and overall scope
- How the consultation frames modifier-related reporting for a Mohs micrographic surgery code family
- The general context in which related additional procedures are discussed
- That the piece is a concise Q&A rather than a long multi-section tutorial
Who Should Read This
- Medical coders
- Coding auditors
- Billing staff
- Dermatology coding professionals
- Compliance reviewers
Codes Discussed
Code Ranges Discussed
Modifiers Discussed
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