Dermatology Coding Alert
Hold On to Your Coding Hats - Here Come the 2005 CPT Codes
Plan on 4 New Year's debridement resolutions
11004 - Debridement of skin, subcutaneous tissue, muscle and fascia for necrotizing soft tissue infection; external genitalia and perineum
11005 - Debridement of skin, subcutaneous tissue, muscle and fascia for necrotizing soft tissue infection; abdominal wall, with or without fascial closure
11006 - Debridement of skin, subcutaneous tissue, muscle and fascia for necrotizing soft tissue infection; external genitalia, perineum and abdominal wall, with or without fascial closure.
In addition, 2005 will bring a new debridement add-on code (+11008, Removal of prosthetic material or mesh, abdominal wall for necrotizing soft tissue infection [list separately in addition to code for primary procedure]) that you should report with your primary debridement code 11000 (Debridement of extensive eczematous or infected skin; up to 10% of body surface).
Toast the new year with four new integumentary codes that includes a new level of debridement specificity.
These new debridement codes include:
The addition of these debridement codes that specify soft tissue and location will only improve the level of specificity in our coding, says Linda Martien, CPC, CPC-H, coding consultant at National Healthcare Review Inc. in Woodland Hills, Calif.
Beware: According to the decision of the government (not the AMA), the new CPT Codes will not have the usual 90-day grace period.
Note: Look for the latest scoop on the specific impact of these new codes in the November issue of Dermatology Coding Alert.
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