Coding Keloid Scar Removal
Posted on 12. Dec, 2009 by admin in Coding Challenge, Hot Coding Topics
Watch out: Avoid this unlisted code.
Question: Is removal of a keloid scar considered an unlisted procedure? What is the right code?
Answer: Use 17110 (Destruction [e.g., laser surgery, electrosurgery, cryosurgery, chemosurgery, surgical curettement], of benign lesions other than skin tags or cutaneous vascular lesions; up to 14 lesions) with diagnosis 701.4 (Keloid scar). 17110 and 7111 (… 15 or more lesions) are now used for destruction of common or plantar warts.
Rewind: In 2007, these codes were revised to include destruction of benign lesions other than skin tags or cutaneous vascular lesions.
Other way: Confirm how your physician removes the keloid and base your reporting on this. More importantly, you should want to note his method of destruction or excision.
Red flag: Do not resort to reporting the procedure as 17999 (Unlisted procedure, skin, mucous membrane and subcutaneous tissue) as there are other CPT codes that define it more clearly.
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