Top Dermatology CPT Code Updates

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Top Dermatology CPT Code Updates
Proper, adequate coding and documentation has
become an increasingly important aspect of modern
medicine, especially with the prevalence of
electronic health records (EHR). While electronic
records provide some documentation benefits to
the physician, such as legibility and ease of
inter-physician communication, they also carry
potential coding risks. Many EHR systems
automatically calculate the level of service and
procedure codes based on physician
documentation.  This can be convenient but
carries the risk of coding incorrectly and
potentially reduces the incentive to learn the
nuances of coding. Regardless of the coding
generated by the EHR or billing staff, the
physician is ultimately responsible. Correctly
applying modifiers in the dermatology CPT Code
requires a deep understanding of all the
components and documentation requirements in
codes with global periods. Dermatology
Coding Dermatology is one of the more complex
specialties when it comes to coding and billing. 
Coders must be familiar with benign and malignant
masses along with actions such as shaving,
destruction, and performing biopsies. In
addition, they must identify simple,
intermediate, and complex repairs, and deal with
sizing terms such as length, depth, width, and
circumference. And dont forget to know the
difference between centimeters and millimeters.
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Top Dermatology CPT Code Updates

• Dermatologists are very adept at providing their
  coders with the information they need to code
  correctly, but this may not be the case for all
  other providers. Coders who need to code
  dermatology-related procedures need to understand
  what each skin condition really is.
• Dermatology New CPT Code Updates
• Reflectance Confocal Microscopy has new codes
  from CPT 96931-96936 RCM Codes 96931 i.e. image
  acquisition, interpretation and report, first
  lesion, 96932 image acquisition only, first
  lesion, and 96933 i.e. interpretation and report
  only, first lesion, 96934 i.e. image
  acquisition, interpretation and report, each
  additional lesion, 96935 i.e. image acquisition
  only, each additional lesion, and 96936
  (interpretation and report only each additional
  lesion).
• These codes apply to a free-standing device that
  produces stacked mosaic images but not for a
  hand-held confocal device.
• New Category III CPT Codes designated for
  emerging technology, services, and procedures are
  temporary numerical codes ending with a T.

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Top Dermatology CPT Code Updates

• Use CPT 0394T for high dose rate electronic
  brachytherapy, skin surface application, per
  fraction, includes basic dosimetry when
  performed. Code 0182T for brachytherapy code has
  been removed.
• Procedures with the MelaFind device can be
  reported using CPT 0400 multi-spectral digital
  skin lesion analysis for detection of melanomas
  and high-risk melanocytic atypia, one to five
  lesions. Use CPT 0401T for six or more lesions.
• Each year brings a few changes in CPT codes.
  There may be new codes, codes revised through
  addition or deletion of text, or codes for which
  portions of the text are rewritten.
• By this point in the year, practices hopefully
  are aware of 2009 CPT Code changes relevant to
  dermatology, though there may be some confusion
  about what specifically was changed. Some
  practices may not be aware of changes to codes
  they use less frequently. To be sure your
  practice is current, heres a look at several
  revised codes that are of interest to
  dermatology.
• Conclusion

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Top Dermatology CPT Code Updates
Correctly applying modifiers in the dermatology
CPT Codes requires a deep understanding of all
the components and documentation requirements in
codes with global periods. Only then can you
choose the correct modifiers where applicable and
avoid triggering an audit. When you have
implemented a professional medical billing and
coding system that reflects these updates as the
dermatology CPT codes are automatically
generated. Hence when your practice has access
to the most up-to-date coding guidelines and
information about regulations, you may have the
potential to obtain maximum reimbursements. Such
automatic coding can help increase efficiencies
and productivity in your practice.   Medical
Billers and Coders (MBC) is a leading outsourcing
medical billing company providing complete
revenue cycle services. To know more about our
Dermatology billing and coding services, contact
us at info_at_medicalbillersandcoders.com/888-357-322
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