10000 series CPT questions

Answer  is False. Simple closure is included in excision of benign and malignant lesions. Hence don’t code separately.

CPT code 11200 is for the removal of up to 15 skin tags by any method, including strangulation. Since the dermatologist removed 12 skin tags using this technique, this code is appropriate. CPT code 11201 would be used for the removal of additional skin tags beyond 15, 11300 is for shave removal of lesions, and 11400 is for excision of benign lesions.

Answer true. MOHs surgery codes are reported only when this requirement of dual role of surgeon and pathologist is fulfilled

Answer true. Yes we need to add them and select the code based on the final diameter.

CPT code 19101 is used for an open breast biopsy, which involves making an incision to remove a portion of a breast lump for diagnostic purposes. This code is appropriate for the scenario described, where an open biopsy is performed to obtain a tissue sample.

CPT code 19000 is for a percutaneous needle biopsy, which does not involve an open incision. CPT code 19120 is for a mastectomy (removal of breast tissue), and 19125 is for excision of a breast lesion identified by a preoperative placement of a radiological marker, neither of which matches the scenario described.

CPT code 11642 is for the excision of a malignant lesion, such as a squamous cell carcinoma, from areas like the face, ears, eyelids, nose, or lips, with an excised diameter of 1.1 to 2.0 cm. The lesion was 1 cm with a 4 mm margin, making the total excised diameter 1.8 cm, which fits the criteria for 11642.

CPT code 12051 is for an intermediate repair of wounds on the face, ears, eyelids, nose, lips, or mucous membranes, with a wound length of 2.5 cm or less. Since the repair was intermediate and performed on the lip, this code is appropriate.

CPT code 11641 applies to lesions that are 1 cm or smaller, and 12052 is for larger or repairs on the same areas, which does not fully capture the extent of the procedure performed in this scenario.

CPT code 10081 is for the incision and drainage of a complicated abscess, which may include multiple incisions, drainage of a large or deep abscess, or use of Anesthesia. Since the procedure involved an incision and drainage in a setting where the abscess was not simple, this code is appropriate. CPT code 10060 is for the incision and drainage of a simple or single abscess, and 10061 is for more complicated or multiple abscesses. CPT code 10080 is for a simple incision and drainage of a pilonidal cyst, making it inapplicable in this case.

CPT code 19342 is specifically used for the insertion or replacement of a breast implant on a different day than the mastectomy. This code is appropriate since the implant insertion procedure is performed separately from the initial mastectomy. CPT code 19340 is for immediate insertion during the mastectomy, 19357 is for tissue expander procedures, and 19325 is for a breast augmentation not related to cancer surgery.

Code 17311 is for Mohs micrographic surgery, first stage, up to 5 tissue blocks; head, neck, hands, feet, genitalia. This is appropriate for the first stage of Mohs surgery on the nose. code description contains up to 5 tissue blocks, no need to assign the code 5 times eliminating option A. Options B and D are add on codes, eliminated.

Code 11422 is for excision of benign lesions including margins, except skin tags, scalp, neck, hands, feet, genitalia excised diameter 1.1 to 2 cm. Since the cyst is 2 cm, this code applies.

Code 17004 is for the destruction of premalignant lesions, 15 or more lesions. Since it involves cryotherapy and the number of lesions, this code is correct.

Code 10120 is for incision and removal of a foreign body, subcutaneous tissues; simple. This code is suitable for removing a foreign body from the subcutaneous tissue. Option A is puncture aspiration, procedure performed looks simple eliminating option B. Option C is removal of Hematoma, question contains foreign body eliminating this option.

Code 15260 is for a full-thickness graft, free, including direct closure of donor site, nose, ears and eyelids; first 100 sq cm or less, or 1% of body area of infants and children. This fits the procedure performed

Code 15100 is for a split-thickness autograft, trunk, arms, legs; first 100 sq cm or less, or 1% of body area of infants and children. This code is appropriate for the described procedure. Code 15130 describes dermal graft not given in question. Trunk does not include in code description of 15120. 15121 is an add on code can’t code on its own.

CPT code 11601 is for the excision of malignant skin lesions (such as basal cell carcinoma) on the trunk, arms, or legs, with an excised diameter of 0.6 to 1.0 cm. Since the carcinoma on the patient's arm is 0.8 cm in diameter, this code accurately reflects the procedure. CPT code 11600 would be used for lesions 0.5 cm or less, while 11602 and 11603 cover larger diameters or different locations.

Cystic lesion is a benign lesion. CPT code 11440 is for the excision of benign lesions, including margins, on areas such as the face, ears, eyelids, nose, lips, with an excised diameter of 0.5 cm or less. Since the lesion is located on the nose and measures 0.8 cm in diameter, this procedure fits under the CPT code 11440. CPT codes 11400 and 11420 are used for excisions on other parts of the body like the trunk or extremities, while 11441 would be used for a lesion larger than 0.6 cm on the face.

CPT code 11102 is used for a tangential biopsy of a single skin lesion, which involves shaving, scooping, or curetting the lesion to obtain a tissue sample. Since the dermatologist performed a tangential biopsy on a single lesion on the upper back, this code is appropriate. CPT code 11104 is for punch biopsy, 11400 is excision of the lesion and 11103 would be used if an additional lesion had been biopsied using the same method

Code 11042 is for debridement, subcutaneous tissue (includes epidermis and dermis, if performed); first 20 square centimeters or less. This code is appropriate for debridement of subcutaneous tissue.

Code 12032 is for intermediate repair of wounds of the scalp, neck, axillae, external genitalia, trunk, and/or extremities (excluding hands and feet) 2.6 cm to 7.5 cm. Since the laceration requires layered closure ( intermediate ) and is 3 cm, this code is appropriate.