How To Use CPT Code 22902

CPT code 22902 describes the excision of a soft tissue tumor from the subcutaneous layer of the abdominal wall, measuring less than 3 cm. 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 22902?

CPT 22902 is used to describe the excision of a soft tissue tumor from the subcutaneous layer of the abdominal wall, specifically for tumors that are less than 3 cm in size. This code is used when a healthcare provider removes an abnormal mass from the soft tissue just below the surface of the skin in the abdominal area.

2. Official Description

The official description of CPT code 22902 is: ‘Excision, tumor, soft tissue of abdominal wall, subcutaneous less than 3 cm.’

3. Procedure

During the procedure for CPT 22902, the patient is appropriately prepped and anesthetized. The healthcare provider makes an incision in the skin over the tumor using an electrocautery device. The tumor is then excised from the subcutaneous tissue. 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 22902 is used for the excision of soft tissue tumors in the subcutaneous layer of the abdominal wall that are less than 3 cm in size. The procedure is performed when there is an abnormal growth of tissue or mass in the soft tissue of the abdominal wall. The patient must meet the criteria for the excision of the tumor, and the size of the tumor must be documented as less than 3 cm.

5. When to use CPT code 22902

CPT code 22902 should be used when a healthcare provider performs the excision of a soft tissue tumor from the subcutaneous layer of the abdominal wall, and the size of the tumor is less than 3 cm. It is important to accurately document the size of the tumor to ensure proper coding and billing.

6. Documentation requirements

To support a claim for CPT 22902, the healthcare provider must document the following information:

• Patient’s diagnosis and the need for excision of the tumor
• Size of the tumor, documented as less than 3 cm
• Details of the procedure, including the use of an electrocautery device
• Documentation of specimen submission to a laboratory for analysis
• Any additional procedures performed, such as irrigation or closure of the incision
• Signature of the healthcare provider performing the procedure

7. Billing guidelines

When billing for CPT 22902, ensure that the excision is performed on a soft tissue tumor in the subcutaneous layer of the abdominal wall, measuring less than 3 cm. It is important to accurately document the size of the tumor and any additional procedures performed. CPT code 22902 should not be reported with other codes unless there are separate and distinct procedures performed during the same encounter.

8. Historical information

CPT 22902 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 22902

There are several similar codes to CPT 22902 that describe excision procedures on the abdomen. These include:

• CPT 22900: Excision, tumor, soft tissue of abdominal wall, subcutaneous, less than 3 cm
• CPT 22901: Excision, tumor, soft tissue of abdominal wall, subfascial (eg, intramuscular), less than 5 cm
• CPT 22903: Excision, tumor, soft tissue of abdominal wall, subcutaneous, 3 cm or greater
• CPT 22904: Excision, tumor, soft tissue of abdominal wall, subfascial (eg, intramuscular), 5 cm or greater
• CPT 22905: Excision, tumor, soft tissue of abdominal wall, subfascial (eg, intramuscular), 5 cm or greater; complicated or radical

9. Examples

1. A healthcare provider excises a 2 cm soft tissue tumor from the subcutaneous layer of the abdominal wall.
2. A patient undergoes the excision of a 1.5 cm tumor in the subcutaneous tissue of the abdominal wall.
3. A healthcare provider removes a 2.5 cm soft tissue tumor from the subcutaneous layer of the abdominal wall.
4. A patient undergoes the excision of a 2.8 cm tumor in the subcutaneous tissue of the abdominal wall.
5. A healthcare provider performs the excision of a 2.2 cm soft tissue tumor from the subcutaneous layer of the abdominal wall.
6. A patient undergoes the excision of a 2.7 cm tumor in the subcutaneous tissue of the abdominal wall.
7. A healthcare provider removes a 1.8 cm soft tissue tumor from the subcutaneous layer of the abdominal wall.
8. A patient undergoes the excision of a 2.9 cm tumor in the subcutaneous tissue of the abdominal wall.
9. A healthcare provider performs the excision of a 2.3 cm soft tissue tumor from the subcutaneous layer of the abdominal wall.
10. A patient undergoes the excision of a 2.6 cm tumor in the subcutaneous tissue of the abdominal wall.