CPC CPT Surgery: Integumentary System 2

Question 1

A patient has three lacerations repaired: a 2.5 cm simple repair on the scalp, a 1.5 cm simple repair on the arm, and a 3.0 cm simple repair on the trunk. How should the repairs be coded?

Accepted Answer

Add lengths of same-complexity, same-classification wounds together and report one code

Answer

Code each laceration separately with three CPT codes

Answer

Code only the longest wound and append modifier -51 to the others

Answer

Report only the trunk repair as it is the largest body area

Question 2

Which CPT code range covers intermediate wound repair?

Accepted Answer

12031-12057

Answer

12001-12007

Answer

13100-13160

Answer

11040-11047

Question 3

A physician performs a complex repair of a 5.0 cm wound on the forehead, requiring extensive undermining and retention sutures. Which code range applies?

Accepted Answer

13100-13160

Answer

12001-12007

Answer

12031-12057

Answer

11760-11762

Question 4

When coding wound repair, which of the following is NOT included in the measurement of wound length?

Accepted Answer

Extensions made for better exposure

Answer

The actual wound length after debridement

Answer

Length of the skin defect itself

Answer

The total length including any necessary excision of wound edges

Question 5

A patient undergoes repair of a 4.0 cm intermediate laceration of the neck and a 2.0 cm simple laceration of the hand during the same session. How are these coded?

Accepted Answer

Report each repair separately since they are different classifications

Answer

One code for the neck only since it is more complex

Answer

Add the lengths together for a single intermediate repair code

Answer

Report the hand repair with modifier -59 only

Question 6

Which of the following is included in simple repair CPT codes and should NOT be coded separately?

Accepted Answer

Local anesthesia injection

Answer

Application of skin staples

Answer

Dermabrasion of the wound edges

Answer

Wound irrigation and simple debridement

Question 7

A physician repairs a 3.0 cm simple laceration on the scalp and also performs a separate repair of a 2.5 cm simple laceration on the face. How should these be reported?

Accepted Answer

Report each separately using the correct body area code, with modifier -59 on the second

Answer

Report both under the face code since it has a higher RVU

Answer

Add the lengths together for one simple repair code using the face grouping

Answer

Report only one code and note the additional site in the documentation