Advanced Search

Pediatric Coding Alert

READER QUESTIONS :

Before Using Repair Code, Check for 1 of 2 Items

Published on Wed Jul 01, 2009

Question: A new patient presents to our office with a 2.0 cm cut on her chin from falling on the side of her bed. The wound is closing well on its own, and the physician cannot pull it apart enough to warrant using sutures. After cleaning the area, she instead uses steri strips to close the wound. Can I use 12001? South Carolina Subscriber Answer: No, because the wound closure uses only steri strips, you should include the work in the office visit code (99201-99205, Office or other outpatient visit for the evaluation and management of a new patient ...). "Wound closure utilizing adhesive strips as the sole repair material should be coded using the appropriate E/M code," according to CPT's "Repair (Closure)" guidelines. Consider the E/M level based on the closure's amount of time, work, and complexity. But do not also report an additional procedure code for closing the [...]
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 your eNewsletter
  • 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
*CEUs available with select eNewsletters.

Other Articles in this issue of

Pediatric Coding Alert

View All