How To Use cpt 11470

cpt 11470 describes the excision of skin and subcutaneous tissue for hidradenitis in the perianal, perineal, or umbilical region, with simple or intermediate repair. This article will cover the description, procedure, qualifying circumstances, appropriate usage, documentation requirements, billing guidelines, historical information, and examples of cpt 11470.

1. What is cpt 11470?

cpt 11470 is a code used to describe the excision of skin and subcutaneous tissue for the treatment of hidradenitis in the perianal, perineal, or umbilical region. This procedure involves the removal of the affected skin and subcutaneous tissue, followed by a simple or intermediate repair of the wound.

2. Official Description

The official description of cpt 11470 is: ‘Excision of skin and subcutaneous tissue for hidradenitis, perianal, perineal, or umbilical with simple or intermediate repair.’

3. Procedure

1. The patient is taken to the operating room and placed on the surgical table.
2. The area to be excised is labeled and cleansed.
3. The provider makes an incision in the skin and dissects down to the level of the apocrine (sweat) glands.
4. The entire diseased skin and subcutaneous fatty tissue overlying the apocrine glands are excised.
5. The provider performs a simple or intermediate repair of the wound using sutures or skin staples.

4. Qualifying circumstances

cpt 11470 is used for patients with hidradenitis in the perianal, perineal, or umbilical region. Hidradenitis is a chronic skin condition characterized by lumps and tunnels involving the sweat glands. The excision and repair procedure is performed by a physician and may require either a simple or intermediate repair technique.

5. When to use cpt code 11470

cpt 11470 should be used when a patient presents with hidradenitis in the perianal, perineal, or umbilical region and requires excision of the affected skin and subcutaneous tissue. The code should be used for each individual excision and repair procedure performed.

6. Documentation requirements

To support a claim for cpt 11470, the following documentation is required:

• Patient’s diagnosis of hidradenitis in the perianal, perineal, or umbilical region
• Description of the excision procedure performed
• Type of repair technique used (simple or intermediate)
• Date of the procedure
• Start and end time of the procedure
• Any additional details or complications encountered during the procedure
• Signature of the performing physician

7. Billing guidelines

When billing for cpt 11470, ensure that the excision and repair procedure is performed for hidradenitis in the perianal, perineal, or umbilical region. Use the appropriate code based on the complexity of the repair technique used (simple or intermediate). It is important to follow the specific guidelines provided by the payer and to accurately document the procedure to support the claim.

8. Historical information

cpt 11470 was added to the Current Procedural Terminology system on January 1, 1990. There have been no updates or changes to the code since its addition.

9. Similar codes to cpt 11470

Five similar codes to cpt 11470 include:

• cpt 11471: This code is used for the excision of skin and subcutaneous tissue for hidradenitis in the perianal, perineal, or umbilical region, with complex repair.
• cpt 11400: This code is used for the excision of benign lesions on the skin, up to 0.5 cm.
• cpt 11401: This code is used for the excision of benign lesions on the skin, 0.6 to 1.0 cm.
• cpt 11402: This code is used for the excision of benign lesions on the skin, 1.1 to 2.0 cm.
• cpt 11403: This code is used for the excision of benign lesions on the skin, 2.1 to 3.0 cm.

9. Examples

1. A physician performing the excision of skin and subcutaneous tissue for hidradenitis in the perianal region, followed by a simple repair.
2. A surgeon excising the affected skin and subcutaneous tissue for hidradenitis in the perineal region, with an intermediate repair technique.
3. A dermatologist performing the excision of skin and subcutaneous tissue for hidradenitis in the umbilical region, followed by a simple repair.
4. A plastic surgeon excising the affected skin and subcutaneous tissue for hidradenitis in the perianal region, with an intermediate repair technique.
5. A general surgeon performing the excision of skin and subcutaneous tissue for hidradenitis in the perineal region, followed by a simple repair.
6. A physician excising the affected skin and subcutaneous tissue for hidradenitis in the umbilical region, with an intermediate repair technique.
7. A dermatologist performing the excision of skin and subcutaneous tissue for hidradenitis in the perianal region, followed by a simple repair.
8. A surgeon excising the affected skin and subcutaneous tissue for hidradenitis in the perineal region, with an intermediate repair technique.
9. A plastic surgeon performing the excision of skin and subcutaneous tissue for hidradenitis in the umbilical region, followed by a simple repair.
10. A general surgeon excising the affected skin and subcutaneous tissue for hidradenitis in the perianal region, with an intermediate repair technique.