Chapter Menu

  Introduction

  Chapter   1 - Evaluation and Management (E/M) Services
  Chapter   2 - Medicine
  Chapter   3 - Radiology
  Chapter   4 - Pathology and Laboratory
  Chapter   5 - Integumentary System
  Chapter   6 - Cardiovascular System
  Chapter   7 - Digestive System, Hemic/Lymphatic System, and Mediastinum/Diaphragm
  Chapter   8 - Musculoskeletal System
  Chapter   9 - Respiratory System
  Chapter 10 - Male Genital System and Endocrine System
  Chapter 11 - Female Genital System and Maternity Care/Delivery
  Chapter 12 - Nervous System
  Chapter 13 - Eye/Ocular Adnexa and Auditory System
  Chapter 14 - Anesthesia

  Final Exam

  Student Resources

  Meet Your Instructor
  Textbook Case Answers
  Check Your Test Scores
  Tips on Ergonomics.
  Electronic Bulletin Board
  Search For A Job Online (MSN)
  Search For A Job Online (Monster)


  E&M Audit Form
  CMS AB-01-44
  ICD-9-CM Official Guidelines for Coding and Reporting


  Gatlin Main Web Site

Click here or here to search for a job on the Internet. Click here to read suggestions on how to reduce stress and discomfort in your work area.

link to previous page - inactive
Gatlin Education Advanced Coding For Physicians - Chapter 5 - Page 1
link to next page

classroom Chapter 5. Integumentary System

Before beginning the Integumentary System chapter, click HERE for a quick review of ICD-9 coding.

Now click HERE to take the pre-test.
REMEMBER: Don't use the arrow keys or the mouse wheel!

The integumentary system includes procedures on the skin, nails and breasts. The skin is the largest organ of the body. One of the most important functions of the skin is protection. It protects the body from external factors such as bacteria, chemicals, and temperature. Incisions, excisions, repairs, reconstruction and other procedures are part of this chapter. When code selection begins you must first make some determinations.

Ask yourself the following questions:

Location: Is the procedure on the integumentary system?

Layers involved: Does the procedure extend deeper than the subcutaneous tissues?

Size: What size is the lesion or tissue involved? Many of the codes in this chapter have sizes listed and you need this information to accurately select a code. If a size cannot be found in the operative report, you can use the size listed on the path report, but use this only as a last resort.