tci General Surgery Coding Alert - 2001 Issue 3

Answer Four Questions to Ensure Appropriate Reimbursement for Decubitus Ulcer Procedures

As many as 25 codes can describe the excision or debridement of a decubitus ulcer. To select the appropriate code, general surgery coders must understand the difference between an excision and a debridement. In addition, the following questions must be answered: (1) Was the wound closed and, if so, by what method? (2) Where was the ulcer located? (3) How deep was the debridement (if performed)? (4) Was anything else excised besides the ulcer?Note: The coders ability to answer these questions depends largely on the quality and specificity of documentation in the operative report.Choosing Excision or Debridement...

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