tci ED Coding & Reimbursement Alert - 2010 Issue 8

High-Level Debridements: Spot Deeper Debridements or Drop Almost $200 From Claim

Coders should be ready for higher-level services just in case.ED physicians' debridement services are typically skin deep.There is always a chance, however, that they'll have to perform a more involved debridement. "Deeper debridements are often performed in the OR but might be performed in the ED, especially if the patient has wounds in locations where there is not much tissue overlying the muscle or bone," relays Marcella Bucknam, CPC, CCS-P, CPC-H, CCS, CPC-P, COBGC, CCC, manager of compliance education for the University of Washington Physicians and Children's University Medical Group Compliance Program.When deeper debridements occur...

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