2026 Coding Companion® for Plastics/Dermatology (Spiral)
A comprehensive illustrated guide to coding and reimbursement
Consolidate the coding process with the Coding Companion. Your one-stop coding resource developed exclusively for plastics and dermatology specialties. This comprehensive and easy-to-use guide is updated for 2026 and organized by specialty-specific CPT® codes. Each CPT® code includes its official description and lay description, coding tip, Medicare edits, relative value units and cross-coding to common ICD-10-CM diagnosis codes to complete the coding process. Getting to the coding and reimbursement information you need has never been so easy.
PDF: Compare Optum Coding Companions to other industry books (165KB)
PDF: Compare Optum Coding Companions to other industry books (165KB)
- Evaluation and Management (E/M) Services Guidelines. E/M codes are used every day in your practice. With CPT® E/M Guidelines and our Optum Coding Tips, you have all the information you need to select the correct E/M code for the service provided.
- Quickly find information. All the information you need is provided, including CPT® full code descriptions, lay descriptions, coding tips, post op or follow-up days, Medicare edits including IOM references and Medicare Unlikely Edit designations (MUE), and commonly associated ICD-10-CM diagnosis codes.
- Procedure code icons. Quickly identify new, revised, add-on, and telemedicine procedure codes, making your coding process for procedures and E/M services quick and efficient.
- ICD-10-CM code icons. Icons identify age-related and laterality diagnosis codes.
- Easily determine fees for your practice and reinforce consistency in the charges. Relative value units including the practice, work, and malpractice components with the total RVUs for non-facility and facility also included.
- CPT® Assistant references. Identifies that an article or discussion of the CPT® code has been in the American Medical Association’s CPT® Assistant newsletter. Use the citation to locate the correct volume.
- Avoid claim denials and/or audits. Medicare payer information includes references to Internet Only Manual (IOM) guidelines, follow-up days, and assistant-at-surgery.
- CCI edits. CPT® and HCPCS procedure codes with their associated CCI edits are provided in a special section.
- Product Updates. CCI edit updates and other significant updates are available online at Optumcoding.com Product Update page for our valued Coding Companion customers.
Jaqueline Petersen, MHA, RHIA, CHDA, CPC
Ms. Petersen is a subject matter expert (SME) with Optum360. She has served as Senior Clinical Product Research Analyst with Optum360 developing business requirements for edits to support correct coding and reimbursement for claims processing applications. Her experience includes development of data-driven and system rules for both professional and facility claims and in-depth analysis of claims data inclusive of ICD-10-CM, CPT®, HCPCS and modifiers. Her background also includes consulting work for Optum, serving as a SME, and providing coding and reimbursement education to internal and external clients. Ms. Petersen is a member of the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC) and the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA).
CPT is a registered trademark of the American Medical Association.
CPT is a registered trademark of the American Medical Association.
Tara Rose, CPC, CPC-I, CPMA, RHIA
Tara Rose has more than 20 years of experience in the health care profession. She has extensive experience in auditing, physician billing, and multi-specialty coding with assignment of CPT, HCPCS, and ICD-10-CM codes. She has served in roles as a coding consultant, trainer, clinical investigator, community college instructor, and coding lead. She has experience providing education to physicians and both new and experienced coders. Tara is a member of her local AAPC chapter and holds credentials from the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA).
Jacqueline Petersen, MHA, RHIA, CHDA, CPC
Ms. Petersen is a Registered Health Information Administrator with 30 years of experience in the healthcare profession. She has served as Senior Clinical Product Research Analyst with Optum developing business requirements for edits to support correct coding and reimbursement for claims processing applications. Her experience includes development of data-driven and system rules for both professional and facility claims and in-depth analysis of claims data inclusive of ICD-10-CM, CPT, HCPCS, and modifiers. Her background also includes consulting work for Optum, providing coding and reimbursement education to internal and external clients. Ms. Petersen is a member of the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC), and the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA).
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