Revenue Cycle Insider

Orthopedic Coding:

Decipher This Open Fx Debridement Case

Question: If an orthopedic surgeon documents an open fracture was debrided and copiously irrigated without giving the tissue type or depth, does the documentation support assigning an open fracture debridement code? The documentation doesn’t describe the tissue as contaminated or that the tissue was removed. AAPC Forum Subscriber Answer: If the physician’s documentation clearly states the patient has an open [...]
You’ve reached your limit of free articles. Already a subscriber? Log in.
Not a subscriber? Subscribe today to continue reading this article. Plus, you’ll get:
  • Simple explanations of current healthcare regulations and payer programs
  • Real-world reporting scenarios solved by our expert coders
  • Industry news, such as MAC and RAC activities, the OIG Work Plan, and CERT reports
  • Instant access to every article ever published in Revenue Cycle Insider
  • 6 annual AAPC-approved CEUs
  • The latest updates for CPT®, ICD-10-CM, HCPCS Level II, NCCI edits, modifiers, compliance, technology, practice management, and more

Other Articles of

March 2025

View All

Which Codify by AAPC tool is right for you?

Call 844-334-2816 to speak with a Codify by AAPC specialist now.