Home Health ICD-9/ICD-10 Alert

Published on Tue Sep 27, 2005 PDF

Question: What counts as a "traumatic wound?" How do I code for them?

Answer: There are many types of trauma wounds, but not all of them garner 21 points under the case mix system. Some trauma wounds provide 11 points if they are the focus of care. Other trauma wounds provide 20 points if they are the focus of care. Still other types of trauma wounds do not provide any points under the case mix system. One thing traumatic wounds have in common is that if surgery has been done, the aftercare code is V58.43 (Aftercare following surgery for injury and trauma).

If the trauma wound is the focus of care, code the trauma wound in M0230. Trauma wounds included on the trauma wound list garner 21 points when M0440 is answered 'yes' and the trauma wound code is placed in M0230. If there was a surgical procedure performed on the wound, then V58.43 would be placed in M0230 and the trauma wound would be placed in M0240 and in M0245.