tci General Surgery Coding Alert - 2007 Issue 8

READER QUESTIONS: Modifier Isn't the Issue for Wound Repair Closure

Question: When reporting a lesion excision (116xx) with a layered closure, do we have to add a modifier?Florida Subscriber Answer: You shouldn't have to use a modifier when the surgeon performs layered closure to repair a lesion excision site. But depending on the lesion excision's size, you may not be able to report the closure separately at all.Excision codes 11400-11446 (benign) and 11600-11646 (malignant) describe full-thickness (that is, through-the-dermis) lesion removal with margins and include simple (nonlayered) closures (12001-12018). As CPT instructs, however, -The closure of defects created by incision, excision or trauma may require intermediate or...

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