You Be the Coder:
Cure Your Laceration Headaches
Published on Sat Mar 01, 2003
Test your coding knowledge. Determine how you would code this situation without looking at the box.
Question: I want to make sure I'm correctly coding a simple laceration repair to the forehead. I have always used 12011-12018, but I just had a meeting with a consultant who told me I should use 12001-12007 instead because the forehead is considered part of the scalp. Which code range is correct? Florida Subscriber
Answer: Your code range is correct. For simple laceration repairs to the forehead, you should report the codes for simple repair of the face, 12011-12018. Do not use the codes for simple repair of the scalp, 12001-12007. The hairline usually defines the border between the face and the scalp. There has been some controversy regarding where the forehead ends and the scalp begin. Because most people can wrinkle the forehead and not the scalp, you're safe using the facial repair codes on lacerations on or below the wrinkled area.
