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Orthopedic Coding Alert

Reader Question:

Suture Removal

Published on Tue Oct 01, 2002

Question: How should we code for suture removal if we didn't perform the original surgery? One of our patients had sutures in his head from an accident elsewhere. We saw him for an unrelated orthopedic problem and removed his sutures in the office without anesthesia. Delaware Subscriber Answer: You could not use 15851 (Removal of sutures under anesthesia [other than local], other surgeon) because the patient was not under anesthesia, and the procedure is not as comprehensive without anesthesia. The suture removal should be included in the E/M service (99201-99215).  
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