Outpatient Facility Coding Alert - 2017 Issue 7
Reader Question: Hone Your Lesion Shaving vs. Excision Skills
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Article Overview
This reader Q&A addresses the general distinction between shaving and excision when reporting skin lesion procedures. It focuses on how lesion size is assessed, why margins are treated differently depending on the procedure type, and how that affects procedure code selection. The article is aimed at coders and billing staff working with dermatology or related surgical documentation.
Why This Topic Matters
Accurate lesion sizing is central to selecting the correct skin lesion procedure code. Misunderstanding whether to include margins can lead to inappropriate code selection and inconsistent reporting.
Article Sections
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Question
Introduces a coding question about how lesion size should be determined for skin lesion procedures.
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Answer
Explains the general distinction between shaving and excision and discusses how lesion size is calculated for reporting purposes.
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Example
Provides a comparison scenario illustrating how a lesion procedure may be reported differently depending on whether it is shaved or excised.
What You Will Learn
- How this article differentiates lesion shaving from lesion excision
- How lesion size is discussed in relation to procedure reporting
- How documentation considerations affect skin lesion coding
- How a worked example is used to illustrate reporting differences
Who Should Read This
- Medical coders
- Billing staff
- Dermatology coding professionals
- Surgery coding professionals
Codes Discussed
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