AMA CPT® Assistant - 2007 Issue 12 (December)
Surgery: Integumentary System (December 2007)
December 2007 page 7 Coding Communication: Surgery: Integumentary System Question: What is the appropriate code to report a skin-sparing mastectomy? How is the work of sparing the nipple reflected? Answer: When the physician describes a skin-sparing mastectomy, he or she is performing a subcutaneous mastectomy, CPT code 19304 , Mastectomy, subcutaneous, to remove the breast but spare the skin. The nipple sparing has to do with the location of the tumor and whether it is far enough away from the nipple and does not change the subcutaneous dissection performed. Sparing the nipple is sometimes difficult because an inadequate blood supply...
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Article Overview
This December 2007 CPT Assistant communication for surgery and the integumentary system discusses a breast surgery coding question and how the associated work may be represented in CPT. It is aimed at coders, billers, and other reimbursement professionals who need to understand the article’s coding context and any related documentation considerations.
Why This Topic Matters
Articles like this help coding professionals interpret short-form CPT guidance tied to specific surgical scenarios and documentation issues. It is relevant when reviewing whether a reported procedure and any appended modifier align with the operative record.
Article Sections
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December 2007 page 7
A coding communication section presenting a question-and-answer format about a surgery scenario within the integumentary system. It focuses on CPT guidance and related documentation considerations.
What You Will Learn
- How the article frames a surgery-related coding question in the integumentary system
- What general coding and documentation topics are addressed in the communication
- How the article relates CPT guidance to a breast surgery scenario and modifier use
- What type of professional audience the communication is intended to support
Who Should Read This
- Medical coders
- Billing staff
- Reimbursement professionals
- Compliance teams
- Physician documentation reviewers
Codes Discussed
Modifiers Discussed
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