AAPC Certified Professional Coder (CPC) — Question 44

A 30-year-old patient with a scalp defect is having plastic surgery to insert tissue expanders. The provider inserts the implants, closes the skin, and increases the volume of the expanders by injecting saline solution. Tissue is expanded until a satisfactory aesthetic outcome is obtained to repair the scalp defect.
What CPT® code is reported?

Answer options

• A. 11960
• B. 11970
• C. 15777
• D. 19357

Correct answer: A

Explanation

The correct CPT® code is 11960, which is used for the insertion of a tissue expander. Options B (11970) and C (15777) refer to different procedures that do not apply to the insertion of tissue expanders, while D (19357) pertains to breast reconstruction, which is not relevant in this scenario.