Pediatric Coding Alert

Do you know the difference between simple and complicated?

Coding foreign body removals (FBRs) seems so easy. After all, there are only two CPT^® codes that you can use to document the service, right?

Not so fast. There’s actually a lot more to FBR coding than meets the eye. That’s why we’ve designed this quiz to test your FBR coding knowledge. Pass it, and you can remove all doubt that you are an FBR coding ace.

Question 1: A patient reports to your practice with a large wooden splinter embedded in her foot. Your pediatrician removes the splinter with forceps without making an incision. How would you code this encounter?

Question 2: A patient reports to your practice with a thorn embedded in the subcutaneous tissue of his forearm. Your pediatrician removes the thorn by making an incision. How would you code this encounter?

Question 3: A patient reports to your practice with a number of small glass shards also embedded into the subcutaneous tissue of the forearm. Your pediatrician removes each one but spends almost 40 minutes making sure all the shards have been removed. How would you code this encounter?

Think you know the answers? Turn to page 5 and find out!