tci General Surgery Coding Alert - 2003 Issue 4

Reader Question: Tissue Removal Determines Excision Code

Question: Which code is appropriate for lump-ectomy? I've heard conflicting advice regarding 19120 versus 19160. Ohio SubscriberAnswer: There's no easy answer here. Because the term "lumpectomy" is applied so widely, either 19120 (Excision of cyst, fibroadenoma, or other benign or malignant tumor, aberrant breast tissue, duct lesion, nipple or areolar lesion [except 19140], open, male or female, one or more lesions) or 19160 (Mastectomy, partial) may be appropriate, depending on circumstances.Note: Technically, lumpectomy describes excision of a small, intact tumor, whether cancerous, pre-cancerous or fibroid, but the term is often used to describe any excision. CPT does not...

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