The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a policy change modification to the claims processing logic for Modifier 59 Distinct procedural service (and the optional patient-relationship modifiers XE, XS, XP, and XU) on February 15, 2019. These modifiers are only processed when applied to the Column 2 code in a bundled pair, per Correct Coding Initiative […]
“Separate procedure” may not mean what you think. Many procedural codes in the CPT® Book are designated as “separate procedures.” However, the common misinterpretation of this is that coders can report such codes as such in every case. Not true. First, you must consider: Were there other procedures performed during the same encounter? Did you consult […]
Lesion excision coding may seem complex, but reporting excision of benign (CPT Code 11400- CPT Code 11471) and malignant (11600-11646) skin lesions can be mastered in five steps. Step 1: Measure First, Cut Second: When assigning CPT® codes 11400-11646, you must know both the size of the lesion(s) excised and the width of the margins […]
There were many code revisions with guidelines, descriptions and instructional note changes. There six new codes in the Evaluation and Management (E&M) section in CPT. Guidelines were revised for Interprofessional Telephone/Internet/Electronic Health Record Consultations. New codes 99451 and 99152 were added to report assessment and management services. The codes are based on medical consultative […]