tci ED Coding & Reimbursement Alert - 2002 Issue 10

Reader Question: Simple and Complex Abscesses

Question: I frequently incise and drain abscesses, and wonder, from a billing point of view, what constitutes the difference between simple and complex drainage procedures. Also, what is the difference between incising a superficial abscess and I&D abscess? Finally, if I were to curette out a lesion like a spider bite, how should I code it? Is it the same as abscess even though the work is more intricate? New Mexico SubscriberAnswer: 10060* (Incision and drainage of abscess [e.g., carbuncle, suppurative hidradenitis, cutaneous or subcutaneous abscess, cyst, furuncle, or paronychia]; simple or single) is a starred procedure...

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