I am confused about the proper codes to be used for treatment of warts. If a patient comes in for an initial visit and I diagnose them with a wart and debride the wart and then apply salicylic acid under occlusion can I bill a new patient EM code and then 17110? When they return for follow-up am I allowed to bill 17110 again if I debride the lesion and apply salicylic acid once again? The definition of the code 17110 includes the term chemosurgery but I am not sure if salicylic acid is included as it is keratolytic. I have always billed EM codes but recently I was told that was incorrect.
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Well, I have to throw a wrinkle or twist in this and any minor procedure scenario. Each minor procedure, like CPT 17110, has a "pre-evaluation time" associated with it. This means if want to bill a new patient E&M it has to be an evaluation and management service unrelated to the CPT 17110. What else are you evaluating and managing that has nothing to do with the CPT 17110, isn't his by definition Modifier 25? If nothing, then what you have been told is correct, I recommend only submitting CPT 17110. Unfortunately, this is how the new world works with E&M, Modifier 25, and minor procedures. On the subsequent visit, same rules apply, only bill CPT 17110 unless there is a distinct and unrelated E&M service.