tci General Surgery Coding Alert - 2005 Issue 4

Reader Questions: Avoid 10120 for Exploration Without Removal

Question: What should we do if the surgeon explores a wound for foreign-body removal but finds no foreign body to remove?New Jersey Subscriber Answer: For a penetrating wound (such as a gunshot or knife wound), you can report exploration codes 20100-20103, depending on the location the surgeon explores (for instance, 20100, Exploration of penetrating wound [separate procedure]; neck; or 20101, ... chest).Otherwise, you should select an unlisted-procedure code appropriate to the area of exploration (such as 25999, Unlisted procedure, forearm or wrist) and provide supporting documentation explaining the extent of the exploration and the reason for the procedure...

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