According to the CPT 2008 guidelines, you should not be coding for the excision when utilizing performing simple-complex repairs using your typical excisional codes.
In 2008 CPT Professional Edition, page 58, top of 2nd column, paragraph 2.
When multiple wounds are repaired, add together the lengths of those in the same classification and from all anatomic sites that are grouped together into the same code description …
So if all four lesions are on the arm, and all four surgical wounds require intermediate closure, you’d add the lengths of these four wounds together to arrive at the single intermediate closure code (12031 – 12037)
If three of the lesions were on the arm, and one was on the hand, but all were intermediate closures, then you add the 3 on the arm together for a 12031-12037 code; and you’d code the wound on the hand from the 12041-12047 section.
Or, if three of the arm lesions required intermediate closure, but one required complex closure, you’d add the three intermediate lengths together (12031 – 12037), but code the complex closure separately (13120-13122).
