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tci General Surgery Coding Alert - 2005 Issue 10

Lesion Excisions Done Right: Measure First, Diagnose Later

Warning: Length of incision doesn't equal excised diameter When coding lesion excisions, when you take measurements is just as important as how you take them. According to CPT, to determine the appropriate lesion excision code, you must measure the lesion's diameter at its widest point and add to that measurement double the width of the narrowest margin. Document Measurements Prior to Excision Surgeons should calculate and document the size of the lesion excision before removing the lesion and sending it to pathology for analysis. This is because the lesion's size will be smaller as soon as the first incision...

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