tci General Surgery Coding Alert - 2005 Issue 8

Don't Confuse Excision and Biopsy

Keep in mind that a tissue biopsy as described by 19100-19103 is distinct from excision 19120.From a surgeon's standpoint, anytime he removes tissue for pathology analysis, he has performed a biopsy. From a coding standpoint, however, 19100-19103 describe removal of only a portion of a cyst, fibroadenoma or other benign or malignant tissue for analysis, while excision as described by 19120 involves removing the entire mass. "No matter how the doctor titles the operative report, biopsy is a piece, and excision is the whole thing," Garner says.Learn more: For complete information on breast biopsy procedures...

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