AMA CPT® Assistant - 2004 Issue 7 (July)
Mohs Micrographic Surgery (July 2004)
July 2004 pages 1-5 Mohs Micrographic Surgery An update to this article was published in November of 2006. Mohs surgery is a technique for the excision of skin cancer. It is a combination of surgical excision and surgical pathology. The Mohs surgery family of codes – CPT codes 17304-17310 – is unique because it includes the only CPT codes that describe procedures that involve surgery and pathology services performed together by the same surgeon or pathologist. This dual responsibility requires policies that differ from other surgical codes and has led to confusion among those unfamiliar with the use of...
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Article Overview
This article explains the general process of Mohs micrographic surgery and discusses how the service is represented in CPT coding. It is intended for providers, coders, and payers who need to understand the structure of the Mohs code family, associated pathology and biopsy considerations, and how related E/M, reconstruction, and complication services are handled in a broad Medicare/CPT context. The article also notes modifier and global-period concepts that can affect reporting of services linked to Mohs surgery.
Why This Topic Matters
Mohs surgery combines surgical and pathology work in a way that is coded differently from many other procedures, so accurate interpretation matters for compliant reporting and reimbursement. The article helps readers understand the scope of the Mohs code family and related reporting issues that can affect claims processing.
Article Sections
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July 2004 pages 1-5
Introductory material describing the article context and the subject area covered in this update.
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General Description
Overview of the Mohs micrographic surgery process and the general clinical workflow used during staged excision and margin assessment.
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Coding for Mohs Surgery
Discussion of the Mohs CPT code family, including the structure of the codes, how the service is represented, and related coding concepts.
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Codes 17305-17307
Coverage of later stages in the Mohs code series and how the staged services are organized within the code family.
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Code 17310
Discussion of the add-on code used within the Mohs series and how it fits into reporting for larger specimen counts.
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General Issues: Skin Biopsy Before Mohs Surgery
Guidance on biopsy-related considerations that may arise before Mohs surgery and how those services relate to the overall encounter.
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Reconstruction
General discussion of post-Mohs wound management and separate reconstruction services.
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Evaluation and Management Services
Overview of E/M services that may occur on the same day as Mohs surgery and the related reporting context.
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Complications
Brief coverage of postoperative complications and related return-to-procedure considerations.
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References
Source citations supporting the article’s discussion.
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Glossary
Definitions of terms used throughout the article to support understanding of Mohs surgery terminology.
What You Will Learn
- How Mohs micrographic surgery is organized as a staged procedure
- How the Mohs code family is structured in CPT
- What broader billing topics are associated with Mohs surgery encounters
- How related biopsy, reconstruction, and E/M topics are discussed in the context of Mohs surgery
- Which modifier concepts are referenced in relation to Mohs reporting
Who Should Read This
- Medical coders
- Billing staff
- Physicians performing Mohs surgery
- Pathology professionals
- Payers and auditors
Codes Discussed
Code Ranges Discussed
Modifiers Discussed
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