Here is the majority of the OP report
Patient taken to OP room , General anesthesia was done . An Elliptical incision was made and carried DOWN TO THE FASCIA , the lesion was then removed and a stitch placed at the 12 oclock for orientation purposes. we then widely undermined the tissues using electrocautery so that we could effect a primary closure .
Path came back – Melanoma in Situ
Path says the following : skin biopsy , skin left arm, superficial spreading melanoma in situ : received in formalin pink tan skin with underlying fatty tissue
So here is my question : Since the excision went down to the fascia, would this be a code that codes to the integumentary system or will this get coded to the musculoskeletal system. I need solid proof .
I thought perhaps it would code to 24075 ,however, I was told since melanoma is a skin lesion originally it would only be coded to the 11602 .
I guess I am looking for SOLID proof that states, melanomas can only be coded to the 11600 series .
I thought the musculoskeletal codes were used for patients where the excision went down to subcutaneous regardless of if it was cancer or not cancer.
Any advice or help is appreciated.