ED Coding and Reimbursement Alert

Question: A patient came to the ED for treatment of a pressure ulcer on her lower back. The physician removed devitalized tissue from the ulcer using a waterjet and forceps. The surface area of the wound was 13 square centimeters. Can we report a code for the waterjet in addition to the debridement code?

Montana Subscriber
 
Answer: No, you cannot report the waterjet separately, because the active wound care codes bundle waterjet use into the service. On the claim, you should:

- report 97597 (Removal of devitalized tissue from wound[s], selective debridement, without anesthesia [e.g., high-pressure waterjet with/without suction, sharp selective debridement with scissors, scalpel and forceps], with or without topical application[s], wound assessment, and instruction[s] for ongoing care, may include use of a whirlpool, per session; total wound[s] surface area less than or equal to 20 square centimeters) for the debridement.

- link 707.03 (Decubitis ulcer; lower back) to 97597 for the pressure ulcer.