Help! EXCISION CYST SUBCUTANEOUS EAR

Plastic surgeon excised a subcutaneous cyst 0.7x0.6cm from the ear. He is coding the excision 21011 12051. Would the I&D code be a better choice?

Thanks

Jun 3rd, 2011 -

re: Help! EXCISION CYST SUBCUTANEOUS EAR

69145 would be the appropriate code for excision of soft tissue cyst from ear

Jun 3rd, 2011 - jschmutz 323

re: Help! EXCISION CYST SUBCUTANEOUS EAR

69145 would only be appropriate if the cyst was in the EAC. If the cyst was of the ear lobe or other parts of the external ear then you would need to look at the following procedures to see which is the most appropriate.

10060 Incision and drainage of abscess (eg, carbuncle, suppurative hidradenitis, cutaneous or subcutaneous abscess, cyst, furuncle, or paronychia); simple or single

10080 Incision and drainage of pilonidal cyst; simple

11440 Excision, other benign lesion including margins, except skin tag (unless listed elsewhere), face, ears, eyelids, nose, lips, mucous membrane; excised diameter 0.5 cm or less