tci ED Coding & Reimbursement Alert - 2022 Issue Q1

You Be the Coder: Can Waterjet Debridement Be Coded Separately?

Question: A patient came to the ED for treatment of a pressure ulcer on her lower back. The physician removed devitalized tissue from the ulcer using a waterjet and forceps. The surface area of the wound was 13 square centimeters. Can we report a code for the waterjet use in addition to the debridement code? Montana Subscriber Answer: No, you cannot report the waterjet separately, because the active wound care codes bundle waterjet use into the service. On the claim, you should report 97597 (Debridement (eg, high pressure waterjet with/without suction, sharp selective debridement with scissors, scalpel and forceps)...

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