You Be the Coder:
Foreign Body in Forehead
Published on Mon Jan 01, 2001
Question: How should I code for foreign body removal from scalp/forehead if the item was glass? How about 20520 or 11010?
John Fink
Dearborn, Mich.
Test your coding knowledge. Determine how you would code this situation before looking at the box below for the answer.
Answer: The code for removal of glass from the scalp is 10120* (incision and removal of foreign body, subcutaneous tissues; simple) or 10121 for a complicated removal. For 10120* this would include suturing, or the wound may be left to heal by secondary intention. You would code 10121 if the procedure is more complicated, requiring dissection of underlying tissue.
Code 20520* is a removal of foreign body in muscle or tendon sheath; simple. This code would not apply here. Code 11010 (debridement including removal of foreign material associated with open fracture[s] and/or dislocation[s]; skin and subcutaneous tissues) would also not be appropriate in this situation.
