tci General Surgery Coding Alert - 2008 Issue 1

Reader Question: Dermabond and Fibrin Aren't Interchangeable

Question: If the surgeon repairs an anal fistula with Dermabond instead of fibrin, can we still report 46706? If not, what code would be most appropriate? Missouri Subscriber Answer: Neither the AMA nor CMS offers specific advice on this issue, but absent written direction to the contrary, best practice dictates that you should not report 46706 (Repair of anal fistula with fibrin glue) when the surgeon uses Dermabond, rather than fibrin glue, to repair an anal fistula. The CPT code descriptor for 46706 clearly states -with fibrin glue.- Dermabond and fibrin glue are distinctive and not equivalent, and...

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