Skin Lesion Excision Coding in CPT

Instructor

Amanda Register, RHIT, CCS, CDIP 

Description

In this course, participants will gain comprehensive knowledge and practical skills in accurately coding skin lesion excisions using the Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) coding system. This course covers essential topics, including the review of anatomy, various methods of lesion removal, selecting the appropriate CPT codes, understanding National Correct Coding Initiative policies, and the role of coding clinic articles. Participants will learn to differentiate between benign and malignant skin lesions, consider lesion size, anatomical site, and tissue layers involved in excision, and correctly apply modifiers and guidelines for separately reportable repairs.

Included Lessons:

• Introduction
• Review of Anatomy
• Types of Lesion Removal
• Selecting the Appropriate Code
• Separately Reportable Repair
• National Correct Coding Initiative Policies for Excision of Lesions
• Coding Clinic for HCPCS Articles
• CPT Assistants
• Summary

Key Takeaways

• In-Depth Knowledge of Anatomy: Coders will have a solid understanding of the anatomy related to skin and soft tissue lesions, enabling them to accurately identify and code procedures involving different tissue layers.
• Lesion Removal Techniques: Participants will learn about various lesion removal techniques, including shave excision, curettage, laser removal, cryotherapy, scissor excision, full-thickness excision, Moh's surgery, and more, helping them select the appropriate codes for each procedure type.
• Benign and Malignant Lesions: Coders will be able to differentiate between benign and malignant skin lesions and apply the correct CPT codes based on lesion type.
• Size Categories: Participants will understand how to categorize lesion sizes and select the appropriate CPT codes based on size, ensuring accurate coding for lesions of different dimensions.
• Anatomical Site Considerations: Coders will learn how to determine the anatomical site of the lesion and apply the corresponding CPT codes, considering body regions and specific anatomical locations.
• Modifiers and Reporting Guidelines: Participants will gain knowledge of modifiers and reporting guidelines for separately reportable repairs, ensuring compliance with coding standards.
• Pathology Reports: Coders will understand the importance of reviewing pathology reports to select more specific ICD-10 diagnosis codes based on findings and lesion behavior.

Benefits of Taking Course

• Enhanced Coding Accuracy
• Improved Ability to Code Skin Lesion Excisions
• Increased Efficiency
• Career Advancement
• Continuous Learning

FAQs

About our Medical Coding Courses

HIAlearn, powered by Health Information Associates (HIA)—a leader in medical coding and auditing for more than three decades—offers a comprehensive online education platform for medical coders. With a catalog of over 200 medical coding courses accepted by the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) for Continuing Education Units (CEUs) and a selection approved by the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC), HIAlearn caters to both beginners and experienced medical coders seeking to enhance their skills. The platform provides an array of training plans tailored to meet individual learning needs, from mastering challenging coding procedures to understanding broad conceptual frameworks within the coding world. Courses are available across various coding types including CPT, E/M, ICD-10-CM, ICD-10-PCS, and are designed to cater to different coder levels and coding specialties such as inpatient, outpatient, profee, and CDI. Additionally, HIAlearn offers a Coding Updates bundle to ensure coders are up-to-date with the annual changes in ICD-10-CM, ICD-10-PCS, CPT, and IPPS. Beyond individual learning, HIAlearn supports organizations with group discounts, promoting enhanced coding accuracy, efficiency, and compliance across teams.