Surgery: Integumentary System (Q&A) (January 2013)

January 2013 page 15 Frequently Asked Questions Surgery: Integumentary System Question:The August 2005 edition of the CPT Assistant (page 2) included the reporting of temporary tissue expander replacement, as excerpted: "If a temporary tissue expander has been used, it is removed after the skin has stretched sufficiently and is replaced with a permanent breast prosthesis during a second operation. This procedure is generally coded [with code] 11970, Replacement of tissue expander with permanent prosthesis. Code 11970 is a global service and includes removal of the temporary expander, which is not to be reported separately. In certain instances, considerable capsular...

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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 January 2013 CPT Assistant Q&A article addresses several integumentary surgery coding questions. It focuses on how related procedures are discussed in the CPT guidance for breast reconstruction after expander use, nipple/areola reconstruction, and excision of benign genital lesions with associated repair coding considerations. The article is useful for coders, billers, and auditors working in surgery and plastic/reconstructive coding who need to understand the scope of the published guidance.

Why This Topic Matters

The article highlights how CPT guidance groups certain related surgical services and where separate reporting may or may not be appropriate. That matters for accurate surgical reporting, compliance review, and consistent interpretation of CPT Assistant advice in reconstructive and integumentary cases.

Article Sections

  1. January 2013 page 15

    A set of Frequently Asked Questions from CPT Assistant covering integumentary surgery coding topics. The questions address reconstructive breast procedures, nipple/areola reconstruction, and excision of a genital lesion with related repair considerations.

What You Will Learn

  • Which broad integumentary surgery topics are addressed in this CPT Assistant Q&A
  • How the article frames breast reconstruction and tissue expander follow-up coding issues
  • How nipple/areola reconstruction is discussed in relation to related harvest or ancillary work
  • How genital lesion excision and associated closure coding topics are presented

Who Should Read This

  • Medical coders
  • Coding auditors
  • Compliance staff
  • Plastic surgery billers
  • Reconstructive surgery documentation staff

Codes Discussed

Code Ranges Discussed


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