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    v1.0.28
    OpenPayerBilling CodesProcedures / Professional ServicesHCPCS hcpcs-g9784-pathology-dermatopathology-second-opinion-biopsy
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    HCPCS G9784: Dermatopathology Second Opinion on Biopsy

    HCPCS Level II code G9784 denotes a pathologist or dermatopathologist providing a second opinion on a biopsy specimen; the service is a professional consultative pathology review focused on diagnostic interpretation of biopsy slides and report generation, typically performed in an outpatient pathology laboratory or hospital pathology department as a specialist second-opinion histopathology consultation.

    For related coverage guidance, see recent payer policy updates: Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) Coverage Policy, Magnetic Sphincter Augmentation for the Treatment of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD), Serum Testing for Hepatic Fibrosis in the Evaluation and Monitoring of Chronic Liver Disease.

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    Table of contents

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    Clinical & Coding Specifications

    Clinical Context

    A dermatopathologist or pathologist provides a second opinion consultation on a skin biopsy previously interpreted by another pathologist or the submitting clinician. Typical patient: an adult with a pigmented or atypical-appearing skin lesion removed by shave, punch, or excisional biopsy. The original report contains an indeterminate or discordant diagnosis (for example, atypical melanocytic proliferation vs. melanoma, or atypical squamous proliferation vs. invasive squamous cell carcinoma). The specimen and slides are sent to a consulting pathologist for review. Workflow: the consulting pathologist receives the requisition, reviews clinical history and photodocumentation, examines submitted slides and any additional stains (immunohistochemistry), documents the second opinion with a signed pathology report referencing the original interpretation, and returns slides and report to the submitting provider. Billing uses HCPCS Level II code G9784 to represent the consultative second opinion service by a pathologist/dermatopathologist on a biopsy. Common scenarios include requests for diagnostic confirmation prior to definitive surgical management, oncologic staging decisions, or clarification when initial diagnosis is limited by artifact or sampling.

    Related CPT Codes

    CPT CodeDescriptionRelationship to This Procedure
    88305Level IV surgical pathology, gross and microscopic examinationCommon code for initial microscopic interpretation of a skin biopsy performed by the primary pathologist; may be referenced in workflow when slides are re-reviewed
    88342Immunohistochemistry, per single antibody stainFrequently performed ancillary test in dermatopathology to clarify atypical melanocytic or lymphoid proliferations during the second opinion
    88331Consultation and review of slides by another pathologist (consultation)Historically used for pathologist-to-pathologist consultations; may be part of the workflow alongside G9784 depending on payer rules
    88312Special stains, each procedure (e.g., stains for fungi)Used when additional special stains (PAS, GMS) are required to support the second opinion
    88313Immunohistochemistry, multiple antibodies, per block (add-on)Used when multiple immunostains are necessary as part of the consult workup

    Related Modifiers

    8 rows

    ModifierDescriptionWhen to Use
    22Modifier –22 (Increased Procedural Services) is used when a reported procedure is substantially more extensive than normally required. The CPT Manual and CMS state it may be appended only when the…- When to use: Append modifier -22 to a procedural CPT code when the service performed is substantially more extensive than the usual service described by that code — i.e., the procedure required…
    23Modifier -23 (Unusual Anesthesia) is used on anesthesia service CPT codes when a procedure that normally requires no anesthesia or only local anesthesia must be performed under general anesthesia…- Use modifier -23 only on anesthesia CPT codes (00100–01999) when a procedure that normally requires no anesthesia or only local anesthesia must be performed under general anesthesia because of…
    52Modifier ‑52 (Reduced Services) indicates that a service or procedure was partially reduced or omitted at the provider’s discretion, allowing reporting of the basic procedure number with a qualifier…- Use modifier -52 when a physician or qualified health professional electively reduces or omits part of a procedure or service (for example, performing fewer required views or omitting a portion of…
    53Modifier 53 (Discontinued Procedure) signals that a surgical or diagnostic service was begun by the physician but terminated because of extenuating circumstances that threatened the patient’s…- Use modifier -53 when a physician/qualified healthcare professional has started a surgical or diagnostic procedure (e.g., anesthesia administered, incision or scope insertion) and then discontinues…
    54Modifier ‑54 (“Surgical care only”) is appended to a CPT surgical procedure when the reporting surgeon performs the intraoperative (surgical) component but does not furnish the preoperative and/or…- Use modifier -54 when the reporting surgeon provided only the intraoperative (surgical) component of a procedure and preoperative and/or postoperative management has been or will be provided by…
    55Modifier –55 indicates the billing provider furnished only postoperative management for a procedure that has a global surgical period. According to AAPC, this modifier is appended to the same CPT…- Use modifier -55 when billing the same CPT surgical code that has a 10- or 90-day global period and you, as a provider other than the original surgeon, furnished ONLY postoperative management (no…
    56Modifier ‑56 indicates the reporting provider furnished only the preoperative management for a surgical procedure and did not perform the intraoperative or postoperative care. It is used in…- Use Modifier -56 when a provider performs only the preoperative management in a split‑care situation (one physician manages preop care while a different physician performs the intraoperative…
    62Modifier 62 indicates that two surgeons function as co‑surgeons, each performing distinct parts of the same primary surgical procedure. It is appended to the primary procedure code (and any…- Use modifier -62 when two surgeons act as co‑surgeons (both primary surgeons) on a single definitive primary procedure, each performing distinct parts of the same surgical procedure (append -62 to…

    Related Provider Taxonomies

    8 rows

    Taxonomy CodeSpecialtyNotes
    208000000XPediatrics PhysicianA pediatrician is concerned with the physical, emotional and social health of children from birth to young adulthood. Care encompasses a broad spectru…
    207P00000XEmergency Medicine PhysicianAn emergency physician focuses on the immediate decision making and action necessary to prevent death or any further disability both in the pre-hospit…
    207L00000XAnesthesiology PhysicianAn anesthesiologist is trained to provide pain relief and maintenance, or restoration, of a stable condition during and immediately following an opera…
    207K00000XAllergy & Immunology PhysicianAn allergist-immunologist is trained in evaluation, physical and laboratory diagnosis, and management of disorders involving the immune system. Select…
    364SX0200XOncology Clinical Nurse SpecialistPhysician Assistants & Advanced Practice Nursing Providers · Clinical Nurse Specialist
    2081P0301XBrain Injury Medicine (Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation) PhysicianA Brain Injury Medicine physician specializes in disorders of brain function due to injury and disease. These disorders encompass a range of medical,…
    246R00000XPathology TechnicianAn individual with knowledge of specific techniques and instruments who performs all of the routine tests in a medical laboratory and who has the abil…
    163WW0101XAmbulatory Women's Health Care Registered NurseNursing Service Providers · Registered Nurse

    Related ICD-10-CM Codes

    28 rows

    ICD-10-CM CodeDescription
    C43.9Malignant melanoma of skin, unspecified
    C44.91Basal cell carcinoma of skin, unspecified
    D22.9Melanocytic nevi, unspecified
    D23.9Other benign neoplasm of skin, unspecified
    L21.0Seborrhea capitis
    L30.9Dermatitis, unspecified
    L40.9Psoriasis, unspecified
    L44.0Pityriasis rubra pilaris
    L56.0Drug phototoxic response
    L57.0Actinic keratosis

    Showing 1–10 of 28

    Related Payer Policy Updates

    Specialty: Gastroenterology1 / 3

    10 rows

    PolicyPayerEffective Date
    Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) Coverage Policyevicore2026-11-05
    Magnetic Sphincter Augmentation for the Treatment of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)univerahealthcare2026-10-15
    Serum Testing for Hepatic Fibrosis in the Evaluation and Monitoring of Chronic Liver DiseaseOscar Health2026-10-01
    Fecal Analysis in the Diagnosis of Intestinal Dysbiosis and Fecal Microbiota Transplant TestingOscar Health2026-10-01
    Pancreatic Enzyme Testing for Acute PancreatitisOscar Health2026-10-01
    Helicobacter pylori TestingOscar Health2026-10-01
    Celiac Disease TestingOscar Health2026-10-01
    Laboratory Testing for the Diagnosis of Inflammatory Bowel DiseaseOscar Health2026-10-01
    Percutaneous Electrical Nerve Field Stimulation (PENFS)Cigna2026-09-15
    Colorectal Cancer ScreeningBlue Cross Blue Shield - New Mexico2026-09-04

    Related Codes

    HCPCS-G9490-HOME-ASSESSMENT-NON-HOMEBOUND

    HCPCS G9490: Home Visit Patient Assessment for Non-Homebound Beneficiary

    HCPCS-G0008-INFLUENZA-VACCINE-ADMINISTRATION

    HCPCS G0008: Administration of Influenza Virus Vaccine

    HCPCS-G0009-PNEUMOCOCCAL-VACCINE-ADMINISTRATION

    HCPCS G0009: Administration of Pneumococcal Vaccine

    HCPCS-G0010-HEPATITIS-B-VACCINE-ADMINISTRATION

    HCPCS G0010: Administration of Hepatitis B Vaccine

    HCPCS-G0011-PREP-COUNSELING-HIV-RISK-REDUCTION-ADHERENCE

    HCPCS G0011: Individual PrEP Counseling, HIV Risk Assessment

    HCPCS-G0012-PRE-EXPOSURE-PROPHYLAXIS-INJECTION-HIV-PREVENTION

    HCPCS G0012: Injection of PrEP Drug for HIV Prevention

    HCPCS-G0013-PREP-INDIVIDUAL-COUNSELING-HIV-RISK-REDUCTION

    HCPCS G0013: Individual PrEP Counseling by Clinical Staff

    HCPCS-G0017-PSYCHOTHERAPY-CRISIS-FIRST-60-MINUTES-NON-OFFICE

    HCPCS G0017: Psychotherapy for Crisis, First 60 Minutes

    HCPCS-G0018-PSYCHOTHERAPY-CRISIS-ADDITIONAL-30-MINUTES-NON-OFFICE

    HCPCS G0018: Psychotherapy for Crisis, Additional 30 Minutes

    HCPCS-G0019-COMMUNITY-HEALTH-INTEGRATION-SDOH-CARE-COORDINATION

    HCPCS G0019: Community Health Integration, Person-Centered Assessment

    Showing 1–10 of 1996

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    Frequently Asked Questions

    References

    1. 1.CPT® Codes and Descriptions. AAPC. Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.Maintains the CPT code set's official descriptions and guidelines, licensed from the American Medical Association, used as the definitional source for CPT codes on this page.
    2. 2.HCPCS Quarterly Update. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.CMS's quarterly release of HCPCS Level II codes and short/long descriptors, the source for HCPCS code definitions and update history.
    3. 3.ICD-10-CM Full Code List. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.CMS's complete ICD-10-CM diagnosis code list, used to cross-reference diagnosis codes associated with this procedure or service.
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