tci General Surgery Coding Alert - 2008 Issue 11

Reader Questions: Select Fifth Digit for Bed Sore Dx.

Question: Recently, we received a denial for debridement of a decubitus ulcer, coded as 11040. We-ve never had problems with this in the past. Any suggestions? Arizona Subscriber Answer: Check your diagnosis. Since 2005, ICD-9 has required a fifth digit for decubitus ulcer diagnosis to specify location, as follows: 707.00 -- Decubitus ulcer, unspecified site 707.01 -- ...elbow 707.02 -- ... upper back 707.03 -- ... lower back 707.04 -- ...hip 707.05 -- ... buttock 707.06 -- ...ankle 707.07 -- ...heel 707.09 -- ... other site. Remember that "unspecified site" differs from "other site...

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