Again, as in past updates, you get separate coding guidelines for physician services and outpatient hospital services—still the only product on the market with this feature!

Some of the many highlights to look for in the Q3 2003 version—

Thyroid surgery—Whether it’s an aspiration procedure or thyroidectomy for malignancy that includes neck dissection, these codes can be confusing. Specific tips help you distinguish among them and code correctly.

Thyroidectomy for malignancy—can be performed with either a limited (60252) or radical (60254) neck dissection. The key difference between the two codes is the sets of lymph nodes that are removed. Simply look for "lymph nodes" under Terms Defined to learn which sets are typically removed for each type of neck dissection, compare to the operative report and then code accordingly.

Core biopsy of the thyroid—Learn when this infrequently performed procedure is likely to be performed. And understand that the –76 modifier should not be used when this procedure is performed after an FNA (10021-10022) proves inconclusive.

Eye surgery—Many high volume outpatient procedures fall in this category and coding accurately can be challenging. Rich and deep information with each code helps you make the appropriate coding decision.

Cataract extraction without lens implantation—If you code pediatric or even adult eye surgery, these codes are important. Look for key information that helps you understand the differences among all codes in 66840–66940.

Do you know the difference between insertion of an anterior chamber intraocular lens (IOL) and a posterior chamber lens? You’ll find an example for each of them in code 66985 (Insertion of intraocular lens prosthesis). Use these examples to help you code pediatric and those adult cases where lens implantation is performed some time after cataract extraction.