General Question for the Week of October 16, 2023

Question:

How do you determine when to code a breast cyst aspiration or an FNA biopsy of the breast?

Answer:

The appropriate FNA code would be assigned when the intent of the procedure was to obtain a sample of cells or fluid for diagnostic evaluation, even if the lesion collapses and turns out to be a cyst. Code 19000 would be assigned if the intent was to drain a cyst, even if the aspirated material was sent to the lab for cytologic evaluation.

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TAGS: Coding, Compliance, CPT, Interventional Radiology, Radiology

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