tci General Surgery Coding Alert - 2006 Issue 2

Reader Questions: Extra Cleaning Earns Intermediate Repair

Question: Our surgeon removed extensive debris from a wound that then required a single-layer closure. Should I report this service with a code for wound repair or a code for foreign-body removal?Ohio Subscriber Answer: Because the doctor performed extensive removal of particulate debris, you should report an intermediate code for the repair, such as 12041 (Layer closure of wounds of neck, hands, feet and/or external genitalia; 2.5 cm or less). Tip: CPT states that -single-layer closure of heavily contaminated wounds that have required extensive cleaning or removal of particulate matter also constitutes intermediate repair.- Payers following...

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