Coding for biopsies
Coding for biopsies
The procedure is correctly reported as a biopsy when the clinician’s intent is to sample a portion of the lesion for diagnosis, regardless of the technique used. A procedure is
correctly coded as a shave when the clinician’s intent is complete removal of the lesion, and dermis remains at the base of the wound (Fig. 14-4). A procedure is correctly coded as excision when the clinician’s intent is complete removal of the lesion and no dermis remains at the base of the wound. For a full discussion of coding options, see Chapter 10.
Figure 14-4. Often, pinpoint-bleeding dermis is visible immediately after a saucerization biopsy.