tci ED Coding & Reimbursement Alert - 2003 Issue 8

Reader Question: Layers Determine Repair Complexity

Question: We often code laceration repairs. How can we easily tell the difference among a simple, intermediate or complex repair?Montana SubscriberAnswer: This is a common question from ED coders, and there are some simple guidelines you can follow: 1. Simple Versus Intermediate. A simple laceration repair includes trimming or removing fatty tissue and cleaning the wound. You would refer to codes 12001-12021 to choose the specific code by the length of the wound. Be aware that, according to CPT, a single-layer closure of a heavily contaminated wound that needs extensive cleaning would elevate it to an intermediate repair...

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