READER QUESTIONS:
Careful: 10060 Won't Wash for Some I&Ds
Published on Mon Oct 26, 2009
Question: A patient presents to the ED reporting pain in her spine. During the exam portion of a level-three E/M, the physician discovers that the painful area is red, and slightly warm to the touch. The patient also has a low-grade fever that she says she noticed about two days ago. The physician makes a shallow incision with a scalpel at the base of the patient's spine and drains the pus from the area. I reported 10060 and received a denial. Why? Kentucky Subscriber Answer: You chose a standard incision and drainage (I&D) code when you should have opted for a pilonidal cyst I&D code. When you re-submit the claim, report the following: • 10080 (Incision and drainage of pilonidal cyst; simple) for the I&D • 99283 (Emergency department visit for the evaluation and management of a patient, which requires these 3 key components: an expanded problem focused history; an [...]
