Skin in the Game: Dermatology Coding Under Audit Scrutiny
Dermatology procedure coding can become complicated quickly when documentation, lesion characteristics, technique, and code selection do not align. Biopsies, excisions, destruction procedures, repairs, and multiple-lesion encounters each carry distinct coding requirements—and small documentation gaps can create significant audit exposure. In this webinar, we will examine dermatology procedure coding through an auditor’s lens. Attendees will learn how to distinguish commonly confused procedures, identify the documentation elements necessary to support CPT selection, and recognize coding patterns that may trigger payer or post-payment review. Real-world examples will demonstrate how documentation translates into defensible procedure coding. Learning Objectives Upon completion, participants will be able to: 1. Distinguish biopsy from excision and other lesion-removal techniques based on the documented intent, method, and extent of the procedure. 2. Apply dermatology procedure coding guidelines for biopsies, excisions, destruction, lesion removal, and associated repairs. 3. Identify documentation requirements that support code selection, including lesion type, location, size, margins, number of lesions, and procedure technique. 4. Recognize common dermatology coding errors and audit vulnerabilities, including incorrect procedure classification, unsupported units, bundling issues, and insufficient documentation. 5. Reduce audit exposure by connecting documentation, CPT coding rules, and medical necessity to create a defensible claim.
Meet Your Speakers
Angie Casale
Angie Casale, MBA, LPN, PLNC, LE, is the Director of Auditing & Education at Healthcare Inspired LLC, where she brings a clinically grounded perspective to revenue integrity, auditing, compliance, and healthcare education. Her professional background spans nursing, legal nurse consulting, healthcare operations, training implementation, and revenue cycle management, giving her a unique ability to evaluate healthcare processes from both the clinical and operational sides. Angie works with physicians, coding and billing teams, and healthcare leaders to identify documentation and workflow gaps, strengthen audit processes, and turn findings into practical education and sustainable improvements. Her approach focuses on making complex compliance and operational issues meaningful and actionable—not simply identifying what went wrong, but helping teams understand why it happened and how to prevent it from recurring. At Healthcare Inspired, Angie also helps lead the organization’s Revenue Integrity Initiative, supporting coding accuracy reviews, compliance auditing, denial root-cause analysis, physician and staff education, and broader revenue cycle improvement efforts. Her combination of clinical experience, business education, and hands-on healthcare operations provides a valuable perspective on the connection between patient care, documentation, compliance, and financial performance.
Kristy Mull
Director of Business & Client Services
Kristy Mull, CPPM, CPCD, CPCO, is the Director of Business & Client Services at Healthcare Inspired LLC, where she leads client operations and supports healthcare organizations in strengthening revenue cycle performance, compliance, and day-to-day practice operations. Kristy’s expertise includes medical coding and billing, physician practice management, compliance, payer relations, denial prevention, audit readiness, and operational process improvement. Her work focuses on identifying the issues that disrupt revenue and workflow, developing practical solutions, and helping teams build processes that are both compliant and sustainable. Her professional credentials include Certified Physician Practice Manager (CPPM), Certified Professional Coder in Dermatology (CPCD), and Certified Professional Compliance Officer (CPCO). Known for a calm, solutions-focused approach, Kristy works closely with clients, physicians, coding and billing teams, and organizational leadership to address complex operational challenges and strengthen communication across the revenue cycle. She is particularly passionate about moving organizations beyond reactive problem-solving by building clear workflows, strong compliance practices, and systems designed to prevent recurring issues before they affect reimbursement or the patient experience. Kristy is also an active healthcare educator and industry contributor, sharing practical insight on payer policy changes, audit readiness, physician documentation, coding compliance, and the evolving challenges facing medical practices.