ED Coding and Reimbursement Alert

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Paronychia I&D With E/M

Question: I have a question regarding whether to apply both the E/M code and the procedure code for a service performed by the ED physician. The documentation records that a father brought his son in for a swollen finger with pus draining from where it had been punctured. The physician performed an examination which revealed swelling along the radial aspect of the index fingernail fold into the base of the nail. The volar pad was soft, with no swelling or inflammation proximal to the DIP joint. The ED physician prepped the finger and made a 7mm incision to drain the pus. The wound was then irrigated and a small amount of packing was placed in the wound. The nail was not removed. The patient was started on antibiotics. Should I apply both 99282-25 and 10060-54 to this event, or should I use just the 10060-54since the exam pertained only to the finger? Florida Subscriber Answer: [...]
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