Ask Dr. Z

How would you code this? Would you use code 20206 or 17999? It is my understanding that the abdominal wall is muscle and not fat; is that correct? So wouldn't you report code 20206 because the provider performed a core biopsy on a muscle?

"HISTORY: Amyloidosis, unspecified type (HCC). FINDINGS: The patient was brought to the ultrasound suite, and informed, written consent was obtained. Preliminary sonography was used identify anterior abdominal wall fat. Local lidocaine anesthesia was injected. An 18 gauge supercore biopsy needle was used to obtain four core samples. Three were placed in formalin and one in flow cytometry media. The needle was removed, and a sterile dressing was applied. No immediate complications. IMPRESSION: Technically successful ultrasound-guided biopsy anterior abdominal wall fat."