Dermatology Coding Alert

Question: I repaired a child's lacerations using Dermabond in three separate places on the left arm. Should I report three repairs, or just charge for one?


Ohio Subscriber

 
Answer: Most carriers recommend that you code Dermabond as a simple closure. In this instance, you should add these same-location wound lengths together and only report one simple repair code.

Choose the most accurate code from the 12001-12007 series (Simple repair of superficial wounds of scalp, neck, axillae, external genitalia, trunk and/or extremities [including hands and feet] ...) and the upper-limb open wound ICD-9 code(s) 880-887.