AMA CPT® Assistant - 2010 Issue 10 (October)
Surgery: Integumentary System (October 2010)
October 2010 page 9 Surgery: Integumentary System Question: What is the difference between the codes for congenital hemangiomas ( 17106 - 17108 ), the codes for inflammatory skin disease (eg, psoriasis) ( 96920 - 96922 ), and the codes for laser destruction ( 17110 - 17111 )? Answer: In 2003, a new series of laser codes for the treatment of psoriasis ( 96920 - 96922 ) were added to the Medicine section. This series is different from the 17000 series of laser destruction codes, which is intended to report the destruction of skin lesions. These codes are in opposition...
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Article Overview
This article addresses selected coding questions from the integumentary system section of CPT, with emphasis on distinguishing among laser treatment categories, chemical cauterization, and excision-related services. It is aimed at coders, billers, and reimbursement professionals who need a quick orientation to the kinds of code distinctions discussed before consulting the full guidance.
Why This Topic Matters
Integumentary coding often involves closely related procedures that are easy to confuse, especially when multiple CPT code families or treatment types are involved. This article helps readers identify the general scope of the guidance so they can determine whether the full discussion applies to their coding scenario.
Article Sections
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Laser treatment and destruction code distinctions
Discusses how the article compares several integumentary CPT code groups used for laser-related services and related destruction procedures. The section focuses on broad distinctions among treatment categories and the circumstances covered by the guidance.
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Chemo-cauterization of the umbilicus
Addresses a coding question involving chemical cauterization in the integumentary system. The section identifies the topic and context of the procedure without giving detailed coding instruction.
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Excision of epidermal or pilar cysts
Covers excision-related coding for epidermal or pilar cysts within the integumentary system. The section frames the topic around excision and related repair considerations at a high level.
What You Will Learn
- How the article frames different integumentary laser treatment code families
- What kinds of procedure questions are discussed for chemical cauterization
- How the article approaches excision-related questions for epidermal or pilar cysts
- Which general integumentary coding topics are covered in this CPT Assistant discussion
Who Should Read This
- Medical coders
- CPT users
- Billing staff
- Reimbursement professionals
- Coding auditors
Codes Discussed
Code Ranges Discussed
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