ED Coding and Reimbursement Alert
Reader Question:
Tongue Piercing
Published on Tue May 01, 2001
Question: How should we code removal of a tongue piercing?
Michigan Subscriber
Answer: There is no code for such a procedure, and it is likely that only an E/M code (99281-99285) would be used. If an abscess is present (the reason for the removal), that may increase the E/M level.
Depending on the reason for the removal, however, other codes may be appropriate. For example, if there was skin covering the piercing and an incision had to be made to remove it, foreign body removal could be coded 10120* (incision and removal of a foreign body, subcutaneous tissues; simple) or 10121 (... complicated).
Other Articles in this issue of
ED Coding and Reimbursement Alert
- Correct Ortho Codes for Fracture Care Depend On Extent of Treatment
"Coders may apply orthopedic codes for the treatment of fractures, sprains and other orthopedic injuries [...] - Complicated Versus Simple Foreign Body Removal:
Know the Difference Between 10120* and 10121
Because CPT does not offer specific guidelines to distinguish simple from complicated foreign body removal, [...] - You Be the Coder:
Billing for CPR
Question: A patient presented to the ED down (in arrest). He was at the facility [...] - Reader Question:
Tongue Piercing
Question: How should we code removal of a tongue piercing?
Michigan Subscriber
Answer: There is no [...] - Reader Question:
Cardiac Code In-house
Question: How should we code when an ED physician responds to a cardiac code on [...] - Reader Question:
Teaching Physicians
Question: How much supervision, if any, does a teaching physician need to provide? How should [...] - Reader Question:
Fractured Medial Orbit Wall
Question: A patient presented with an eye injury from a softball. CT results showed medial [...] - Reader Question:
Thrombolytics
Question: There is confusion in our emergency department about billing for thrombolytics. Does Medicare pay [...] - Reader Question:
Modifier -25
Question: When is it appropriate to code an initial E/M (for a new patient) without [...]
View All
