Certified Coding Specialist (CCS) Practice Exam

The coding of a wide excision of malignant melanoma requires specific codes that accurately identify both the diagnosis of the condition and the procedure performed.

In this case, C43.61 correctly represents malignant melanoma of the skin located in the right upper limb. This code explicitly identifies the diagnosis, which is crucial in capturing the type of cancer that was excised.

The procedure code 11601 is also appropriate as it represents a wide excision of malignant skin lesions, specifically for lesions larger than 4.0 cm. This aligns with the nature of a wide excision required for treating malignant melanoma, which often requires adequate margins to ensure complete removal of cancerous tissue.

Together, these codes (C43.61 for the diagnosis and 11601 for the procedure) provide a comprehensive representation of the medical situation, allowing for accurate documentation, billing, and potential treatment planning.

The other codes do not align accurately with the scenario described. For example, C76.41 refers to a secondary malignant skin neoplasm, which would not be suitable if the primary melanoma is being excised. Similarly, codes like 11401 and 25075 do not correspond to the correct classification for a wide excision of malignant melanoma, as they relate to different procedures or conditions