January 21, 2021

Question:
Can I report CPT 12052 for an intermediate repair of the cheek and nose.  The size of the defect of the cheek is 2.7 cm and the defect on the nose is 1.0cm.  I want to code 12052 for the cheek and CPT code 12051-59.  Is that correct?

Answer:
If both are intermediate repairs in the same anatomic category (cheek and nose) you would add the sums of both the cheek (2.7cm) and nose (1.0cm) and report one code. Since the sum of both sized equals 3.7cm, the correct CPT code is 12052 (Repair, intermediate, wounds of face, ears, eyelids, nose, lips, and/or mucous membranes; 2.6 cm to 5.0 cm).

*This response is based on the best information available as of 1/21/21.