tci Medicare Compliance & Reimbursement - 2008 Issue 24

Reader Question: Check These Rules Before Billing For Stitch Removal

You must differentiate between simple post-op removal and more complex procedures Question: Our physician saw a patient for the sole purpose of removing the patient's stitches. Which code should we report for the suture removal? Answer: You may be able to report suture removal separately, but only in relatively rare circumstances. If the same physician who placed the sutures removes them during the original procedure's global period, you cannot report the removal separately.For example: A patient returns to the office for suture removal during the global period of the surgery that warranted the stitches. In this case, you...

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