How To Use CPT Code 24079

CPT code 24079 describes the radical resection of a tumor in the soft tissue of the upper arm or elbow area 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 24079?

CPT 24079 is used to describe the radical resection of a tumor in the soft tissue of the upper arm or elbow area that is 5 cm or greater in size. This procedure involves the surgical removal of the tumor, including its vascular supply, associated lymph nodes, and a sufficient margin of surrounding tissues to ensure complete removal of all diseased tissue.

2. Official Description

The official description of CPT code 24079 is: ‘Radical resection of tumor (eg, sarcoma), soft tissue of upper arm or elbow area 5 cm or greater.’

3. Procedure

During the procedure for CPT 24079, the patient is appropriately prepped and anesthetized. The healthcare provider makes an incision in the skin of the upper arm or elbow area. They then identify and excise the tumor, ensuring to take a margin of healthy tissue with it. The excised tumor specimen, which must be 5 cm or larger in size, is sent to a laboratory for analysis to determine its nature. After removing the tumor, the provider irrigates the area, checks for bleeding, removes any instruments, and closes the incision in layers.

4. Qualifying circumstances

CPT 24079 is used for patients who require the radical resection of a tumor in the soft tissue of the upper arm or elbow area that is 5 cm or greater in size. This code is specifically for tumors of non-cutaneous origin, such as sarcomas. It is important to note that for tumors of cutaneous origin, different codes should be used (e.g., 11600 – 11606).

5. When to use CPT code 24079

CPT code 24079 should be used when a healthcare provider performs a radical resection of a tumor in the soft tissue of the upper arm or elbow area that is 5 cm or greater in size. It is important to accurately measure the size of the tumor to determine if it meets the criteria for this code.

6. Documentation requirements

To support a claim for CPT 24079, the healthcare provider must document the following information:

• Patient’s diagnosis and the need for radical resection of the tumor
• Size of the tumor (must be 5 cm or greater)
• Date of the procedure
• Details of the procedure, including the incision, excision of the tumor, and closure of the incision
• Any complications or additional procedures performed
• Signature of the healthcare provider

7. Billing guidelines

When billing for CPT 24079, ensure that the procedure performed meets the criteria for this code. It is important to accurately measure the size of the tumor to determine if it is 5 cm or greater. Additionally, be aware of any specific payer guidelines or requirements for reporting this code.

8. Historical information

CPT 24079 was added to the Current Procedural Terminology system on January 1, 2010. On January 1, 2014, the code description was updated to include the term “malignant neoplasm” in addition to “sarcoma.”

9. Similar codes to CPT 24079

There are several similar codes to CPT 24079 that may be used for different scenarios. These include:

• CPT 24077: Excision of a sarcomatous tumor measuring less than 5 cm
• CPT 24076: Excision of a subfascial (intramuscular) tumor in the soft tissues of the upper arm or elbow area measuring less than 5 cm
• CPT 24073: Excision of a subfascial (intramuscular) tumor in the soft tissues of the upper arm or elbow area measuring 5 cm or greater
• CPT 24075: Excision of a subcutaneous tumor of the soft tissues in the upper arm or elbow area measuring less than 3 cm
• CPT 24071: Excision of a subcutaneous tumor of the soft tissues in the upper arm or elbow area measuring 3 cm or greater

9. Examples

1. A surgeon performs a radical resection of a 7 cm sarcoma in the soft tissue of a patient’s upper arm.
2. A healthcare provider excises a 6 cm tumor in the elbow area, ensuring to remove a margin of healthy tissue.
3. A patient undergoes a radical resection of a 5 cm malignant tumor in the soft tissue of their upper arm.
4. A surgeon performs the excision of an 8 cm sarcoma in the elbow area, taking a margin of healthy tissue to ensure complete removal.
5. A healthcare provider performs a radical resection of a 9 cm tumor in the soft tissue of a patient’s upper arm.
6. A patient undergoes the excision of a 5.5 cm malignant tumor in the elbow area, with a margin of healthy tissue removed.
7. A surgeon performs a radical resection of a 6.5 cm sarcoma in the soft tissue of a patient’s upper arm.
8. A healthcare provider excises a 7 cm tumor in the elbow area, ensuring to remove a margin of healthy tissue.
9. A patient undergoes a radical resection of a 5.5 cm malignant tumor in the soft tissue of their upper arm.
10. A surgeon performs the excision of an 8.5 cm sarcoma in the elbow area, taking a margin of healthy tissue to ensure complete removal.