Pediatric Coding Alert
Reader Question:
Suture Removal
Published on Fri Dec 28, 2012
Question: Should we charge for removing sutures? What if they were placed in the emergency department?
Wyoming Subscriber
Answer: If you placed the sutures, you cannot be paid for removing them; the fee for removal is included in the laceration repair codes. If sutures were placed in the emergency department (ED), you can be paid for removal with a low-level E/M services code (99201-99202 for a new patient, 99211-99212 for an established patient). Use V58.3 (Attention to surgical dressings and sutures) if no other problems exist.
A higher-level E/M could be billed, with additional diagnoses, if there are complications such as an infection.
Other Articles in this issue of
Pediatric Coding Alert
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Many private payers have mental-health restrictions for their managed care plans. They may refuse to [...] - Use Four Steps to Accurately Select Laceration Repair Codes
When you repair a laceration, four elements determine the correct code:
1. Classification: determine whether [...] - You Be the Coder:
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Reporting Chronic Conditions
Question: Some of our patients have chronic conditions that consume a lot of the pediatrician's [...] - Reader Question:
Processing Special Reports
Question: Which code should we use for filling out forms? Will it be paid? Connecticut [...] - Reader Question:
Suture Removal
Question: Should we charge for removing sutures? What if they were placed in the emergency [...]
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