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The procedure described by CPT® Code 24066 refers to a biopsy of the soft tissue located in the upper arm or elbow area, specifically targeting deeper structures such as subfascial or intramuscular tissues. A soft tissue biopsy is a medical procedure that involves the removal of a small sample of tissue for diagnostic purposes. The term "soft tissue" encompasses various types of tissues, including muscles, tendons, fat, blood vessels, lymph vessels, nerves, and the connective tissues surrounding joints. This procedure is typically performed when there is a need to investigate abnormalities or lesions within these tissues. Prior to the biopsy, anesthesia—whether local, regional, or general—is administered to ensure patient comfort during the procedure. The area of the skin over the biopsy site is thoroughly cleansed to minimize the risk of infection. A surgical incision is then made, allowing the physician to carefully dissect through the layers of tissue down to the mass or lesion while taking precautions to avoid damaging any nearby blood vessels or nerves. Once the tissue sample is obtained, it is sent to a laboratory for histological evaluation, which is a separate reportable service. After the sample is collected, the incision is closed using sutures. It is important to note that CPT® Code 24066 is specifically designated for deeper biopsies that require more extensive dissection compared to superficial biopsies, which are coded under CPT® Code 24065.
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The biopsy of soft tissue in the upper arm or elbow area, as described by CPT® Code 24066, is indicated for various clinical scenarios where there is a need to investigate potential abnormalities within deeper soft tissues. These indications may include:
The procedure for performing a deep soft tissue biopsy in the upper arm or elbow area involves several critical steps, which are outlined as follows:
Post-procedure care following a deep soft tissue biopsy includes monitoring the patient for any immediate complications, such as excessive bleeding or signs of infection. Patients are typically advised to keep the biopsy site clean and dry, and to follow any specific instructions provided by the healthcare provider regarding wound care. Pain management may be necessary, and patients may be prescribed analgesics as needed. Follow-up appointments may be scheduled to review the histological results and to assess the healing process of the biopsy site. It is important for patients to report any unusual symptoms, such as increased redness, swelling, or discharge from the incision site, to their healthcare provider promptly.
| Short Descr | BIOPSY ARM/ELBOW SOFT TISSUE | Medium Descr | BIOPSY SOFT TISSUE UPPER ARM/ELBOW AREA DEEP | Long Descr | Biopsy, soft tissue of upper arm or elbow area; deep (subfascial or intramuscular) | Status Code | Active Code | Global Days | 090 - Major Surgery | PC/TC Indicator (26, TC) | 0 - Physician Service Code | Multiple Procedures (51) | 2 - Standard payment adjustment rules for multiple procedures apply. | Bilateral Surgery (50) | 1 - 150% payment adjustment for bilateral procedures applies. | Physician Supervisions | 09 - Concept does not apply. | Assistant Surgeon (80, 82) | 1 - Statutory payment restriction for assistants at surgery applies to this procedure... | Co-Surgeons (62) | 0 - Co-surgeons not permitted for this procedure. | Team Surgery (66) | 0 - Team surgeons not permitted for this procedure. | Diagnostic Imaging Family | 99 - Concept Does Not Apply | APC Status Indicator | Hospital Part B services paid through a comprehensive APC | ASC Payment Indicator | Surgical procedure on ASC list in CY 2007; payment based on OPPS relative payment weight. | Type of Service (TOS) | 2 - Surgery | Berenson-Eggers TOS (BETOS) | P6B - Minor procedures - musculoskeletal | MUE | 2 | CCS Clinical Classification | 159 - Other diagnostic procedures on musculoskeletal system |
| 51 | Multiple procedures: when multiple procedures, other than e/m services, physical medicine and rehabilitation services or provision of supplies (eg, vaccines), are performed at the same session by the same individual, the primary procedure or service may be reported as listed. the additional procedure(s) or service(s) may be identified by appending modifier 51 to the additional procedure or service code(s). note: this modifier should not be appended to designated "add-on" codes (see appendix d). | 58 | Staged or related procedure or service by the same physician or other qualified health care professional during the postoperative period: it may be necessary to indicate that the performance of a procedure or service during the postoperative period was: (a) planned or anticipated (staged); (b) more extensive than the original procedure; or (c) for therapy following a surgical procedure. this circumstance may be reported by adding modifier 58 to the staged or related procedure. note: for treatment of a problem that requires a return to the operating/procedure room (eg, unanticipated clinical condition), see modifier 78. | 59 | Distinct procedural service: under certain circumstances, it may be necessary to indicate that a procedure or service was distinct or independent from other non-e/m services performed on the same day. modifier 59 is used to identify procedures/services, other than e/m services, that are not normally reported together, but are appropriate under the circumstances. documentation must support a different session, different procedure or surgery, different site or organ system, separate incision/excision, separate lesion, or separate injury (or area of injury in extensive injuries) not ordinarily encountered or performed on the same day by the same individual. however, when another already established modifier is appropriate it should be used rather than modifier 59. only if no more descriptive modifier is available, and the use of modifier 59 best explains the circumstances, should modifier 59 be used. note: modifier 59 should not be appended to an e/m service. to report a separate and distinct e/m service with a non-e/m service performed on the same date, see modifier 25. | 78 | Unplanned return to the operating/procedure room by the same physician or other qualified health care professional following initial procedure for a related procedure during the postoperative period: it may be necessary to indicate that another procedure was performed during the postoperative period of the initial procedure (unplanned procedure following initial procedure). when this procedure is related to the first, and requires the use of an operating/procedure room, it may be reported by adding modifier 78 to the related procedure. (for repeat procedures, see modifier 76.) | 79 | Unrelated procedure or service by the same physician or other qualified health care professional during the postoperative period: the individual may need to indicate that the performance of a procedure or service during the postoperative period was unrelated to the original procedure. this circumstance may be reported by using modifier 79. (for repeat procedures on the same day, see modifier 76.) | AQ | Physician providing a service in an unlisted health professional shortage area (hpsa) | AS | Physician assistant, nurse practitioner, or clinical nurse specialist services for assistant at surgery | GC | This service has been performed in part by a resident under the direction of a teaching physician | LT | Left side (used to identify procedures performed on the left side of the body) | RT | Right side (used to identify procedures performed on the right side of the body) | XS | Separate structure, a service that is distinct because it was performed on a separate organ/structure | XU | Unusual non-overlapping service, the use of a service that is distinct because it does not overlap usual components of the main service |
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| Pre-1990 | Added | Code added. |
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