Hello

My facility is in a argument about re-excisions of neoplasms

I bill the Pathology end of things only so the dermatology end of things does not pertain to me. I bill off the Pathology report

My question is on Diagnosis codes

Ex: Re-excision of Basal cell carcinoma or R arm, No residual tumor identified, reparative changes present, Incidental Sk

Do I bill the C44.612

Or do I bill L821, with Z code secondary to show that patient had a history of skin Ca at the site?

Thanks

Renae G

Our clinic is conflicted on the appropriate way to code the pathology report on a follow-up excision after a diagnosis of carcinoma. Some of us say we should code the carcinoma even if it says "no residual…" and some of us say no. Please help us solve our dilemma!

Skin, right mastoid, excision:
– No residual basal cell carcinoma. (C44.41)
– Epidermal reparative change and dermal scar, consistent with biopsy site. (L90.5)