How To Use CPT Code 22901

CPT code 22901 describes the excision of a soft tissue tumor from the abdominal wall, specifically from the subfascial layer, that is 5 cm or greater in size. This article will cover the description, procedure, qualifying circumstances, appropriate usage, documentation requirements, billing guidelines, historical information and billing examples.

1. What is CPT Code 22901?

CPT 22901 is used to describe the excision of a soft tissue tumor from the abdominal wall, specifically from the subfascial layer, that is 5 cm or greater in size. The procedure involves making an incision through the skin and subcutaneous tissue over the lesion, raising subcutaneous flaps with electrocautery, excising the tumor from the muscle layer, and submitting the specimen for laboratory analysis.

2. Official Description

The official description of CPT code 22901 is: ‘Excision, tumor, soft tissue of abdominal wall, subfascial (eg, intramuscular) 5 cm or greater.’

3. Procedure

When performing CPT 22901, the healthcare provider begins by appropriately prepping and anesthetizing the patient. They then make an incision through the skin and subcutaneous tissue over the tumor. Subcutaneous flaps are raised using electrocautery. The provider proceeds to excise the tumor from the muscle layer beneath the abdominal wall. The excised specimen is sent to a laboratory for analysis to determine its nature. The provider irrigates the area, checks for bleeding, removes any instruments, and closes the incision.

4. Qualifying circumstances

CPT 22901 is used for the excision of a soft tissue tumor from the subfascial layer of the abdominal wall that is 5 cm or greater in size. The procedure is performed when the tumor is causing symptoms or is suspected to be malignant. It is important to note that the size of the tumor must meet the specified criteria for this code to be used.

5. When to use CPT code 22901

CPT code 22901 should be used when a healthcare provider performs an excision of a soft tissue tumor from the subfascial layer of the abdominal wall that is 5 cm or greater in size. It is important to ensure that the tumor meets the size criteria and that the excision is performed in the specified anatomical location.

6. Documentation requirements

To support a claim for CPT 22901, the healthcare provider must document the following information:

• Patient’s diagnosis and the need for tumor excision
• Size of the tumor
• Details of the procedure, including the incision, excision, and closure
• Submission of the excised specimen for laboratory analysis
• Any complications or additional procedures performed
• Signature of the healthcare provider performing the procedure

7. Billing guidelines

When billing for CPT 22901, ensure that the excision is performed on a soft tissue tumor in the subfascial layer of the abdominal wall that is 5 cm or greater in size. It is important to accurately document the procedure and submit the excised specimen for laboratory analysis. There are no specific guidelines regarding reporting CPT 22901 with other codes.

8. Historical information

CPT 22901 was added to the Current Procedural Terminology system on January 1, 2010. There have been no updates to the code since its addition.

9. Similar codes to CPT 22901

Five similar codes to CPT 22901 include:

• CPT 22900: Excision, tumor, soft tissue of abdominal wall, subcutaneous; 3 cm or less
• CPT 22902: Excision, tumor, soft tissue of abdominal wall, subfascial (eg, intramuscular); 3 cm or less
• CPT 22903: Excision, tumor, soft tissue of abdominal wall, subcutaneous; over 3 cm
• CPT 22904: Excision, tumor, soft tissue of abdominal wall, subfascial (eg, intramuscular); over 3 cm
• CPT 22905: Excision, tumor, soft tissue of abdominal wall, subfascial (eg, intramuscular); over 10 cm

9. Examples

1. A surgeon performs an excision of a 6 cm soft tissue tumor from the subfascial layer of the abdominal wall.
2. A patient presents with a 7 cm tumor in the subfascial layer of the abdominal wall, and a healthcare provider performs an excision for further analysis.
3. A soft tissue tumor measuring 5 cm is excised from the subfascial layer of the abdominal wall by a surgeon.
4. A healthcare provider performs an excision of a 9 cm soft tissue tumor from the subfascial layer of the abdominal wall.
5. A patient undergoes an excision of a 12 cm soft tissue tumor from the subfascial layer of the abdominal wall.
6. A surgeon performs an excision of a 4 cm soft tissue tumor from the subfascial layer of the abdominal wall.
7. A healthcare provider excises a 6 cm soft tissue tumor from the subfascial layer of the abdominal wall for further analysis.
8. A patient presents with a 5 cm tumor in the subfascial layer of the abdominal wall, and a surgeon performs an excision.
9. A soft tissue tumor measuring 8 cm is excised from the subfascial layer of the abdominal wall by a healthcare provider.
10. A surgeon performs an excision of a 10 cm soft tissue tumor from the subfascial layer of the abdominal wall.