Click here for more sample CPC practice exam questions with Full Rationale Answers

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Click here for more sample CPC practice exam questions and answers with full rationale

Practice Exam

CPC Practice Exam and Study Guide Package

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What makes a good CPC Practice Exam? Questions and Answers with Full Rationale

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Practice Exam

2018 CPC Practice Exam Answer Key 150 Questions With Full Rationale (HCPCS, ICD-9-CM, ICD-10, CPT Codes) Click here for more sample CPC practice exam questions with Full Rationale Answers

Practice Exam

Click here for more sample CPC practice exam questions and answers with full rationale

Realize the Value of Soft Skills in Healthcare

Do your healthcare workers have what it takes to excel in a consumer-driven marketplace? The landscape of healthcare organizations is changing dramatically. In recent years, the concept of healthcare consumerism has gained significant traction with health systems, hospitals, and medical practices. Healthcare consumerism is a “movement that advocates patients’ involvement in their own healthcare decisions. […]

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AAPC Knowledge Center

Excision of multiple soft tissue masses on same finger

Can you bill for excision of multiple soft tissue masses on the same finger that are done through one incision? In the example below, our doctor doesn’t indicate where on the finger the masses were excised from so I will have to query him. However, I’m wondering even if he does indicate where the STMs were excised from, can we bill for both masses or just one since they were removed through the same incision? Also, any supporting documentation or articles would be helpful! Thanks!

"A dorsal curviliner incision was made on the dorsum of the long finger centering over the soft tissue masses. The incision was carried thru the skin and subcutaneous tissue. Hemostasis was achieved with bipolar electrocautery. The skin was gently elevated off the underlying soft tissue mass with a #15 blade knife. The masses were dissected from the surrounding soft tissue with care taken to protect the neurovascular structures and the extensor tendon. Both masses were excised and sent for microscopic pathology. The extensor tendon remains intact."

Medical Billing and Coding Forum

Achieve a Higher Standard Through Soft Skills

Professional advancement in the healthcare business sector requires ever-increasing substantive knowledge. Unfortunately, technical mastery is not enough. Employers often look for candidates with more skills, specifically soft skills,  when hiring or promoting Soft skills are those things we all need to succeed in the workplace. Everyone can benefit by developing their soft skills. Here are […]

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AAPC Knowledge Center

Complex Repair with Soft Tissue Excision

Is it true that a complex repair is not separately billable with a Soft Tissue Excision. CPT states only Simple and Intermediate are bundled.
I am seeing conflicting info everywhere. Any advice is appreciated.

NCCI shows indicator 1:
20071001 * 1 Standards of medical / surgical practice

Medical Billing and Coding Forum

Help Excision Soft Tissue Mass Finget

The DR is performing an excision soft tissue mass from the finger , it is excised from the root extending into the DIP joint, and removing the osteophyte off the dorsal base of the distal phalanx , I coded 26115 because the size of mass, However is there a code for the osteophyte ? Or is there a better code for both the mass and osteophyte ,
I appreciate any help

Medical Billing and Coding Forum

Biopsy of soft tissue

Hi,
I have two cases that involve needle biopsies of soft tissue masses, charging for facility side. The coding pathway leads to codes listed under Excision titles in the CPT book where the parenthetical notes underneath state ( For needle biopsy of soft tissue, use 20206). Here are pertinent excerpts from both reports with the two choices for codes. I’d really appreciate other opinions as to which is correct. I’m tending to lean towards the 20206 in both cases because 20206 specified percutaneous needle while the other codes listed under Excision headings do not specify percutaneous needle. I was told by another coder who is strictly facility that in I-10 PCS coding a biopsy reads out as an excision when any tissue is taken for a diagnostic test.

Case 1:
Under CT guidance, a 19-gauge guide needle was advanced into the soft tissue mass adjacent to the colonic anastomosis. A 25-guage Chiba needle was inserted coaxially through the guide needle and a FNA was obtained. The sample was submitted to the on-site cytopathologist on slides and in formalin. The on-site cytopathologist reviewed the samples and determined that abnormal cells were seen. Then, at the request of the on-site cytopathologist, a 20 gauge core biopsy gun was inserted coaxially through the guide needle and a 20 gauge core biopsy sample was obtained which yielded scant material.

The two choices for this case are 10022, 20206 or 10022, 27041

Case 2:
Patient came today to the IR service for ultrasound guided biopsy of the left popliteal space subcutaneous soft tissue palpable nodule. The left popliteal fossa was prepped and draped in usual sterile fashion. (4) core biopsies were obtained using an 18 gauge Temno core biopsy needle within a coaxial system. The biopsy tissue was placed in formalin and sent tot he lab for cytopathologic evaluation.

The two choices for this case are 27323 or 20206

Thanks very much in advance!

Medical Billing and Coding Forum

Soft Tissue Radionecrosis

I know we don’t code to get paid. But, I go around and around with coding Soft tissue Radionecrosis. I code for a Wound Clinic. If I code as L59.8, the HBO gets paid but the debridement is denied for medical necessity. L59.8 isn’t listed on the LCD for debridements. I just need advise, to code correctly. If I start at necrosis and look for radiation, it states to see Necrosis by site. There is no soft tissue, but there’s subcutaneous newborn. Skin or subcutaneous states I96. So, then I confirm in the tabular section to find, I96 = Gangrene. So now, I’m confused. The note doesn’t mention Gangrene. If I start with Radiation, Sickness then the tabular states excludes radiation related disorder of the skin and subcutaneous tissue. So, now I’m back to L59.8. Please help!

Medical Billing and Coding Forum