Podiatry Coding & Billing Alert

Question: Can we charge a wound vac reapplication during the global period? Here is the scenario: wound vac is placed on wound during surgery, the patient comes in weekly for wound vac change during their post-op visits with same provider because of dehiscence or infection

AAPC Forum Participant

Answer: Yes, you can code for use of a wound vac depending on the procedure and size of the wound. According to Jennifer McNamara, CPC, CCS, CRC, CPMA, CDEO, COSC, CGSC, COPC, director of healthcare training and practice support at Healthcare Inspired LLC. Bella Vista, Arkansas, “During the global period, dressing changes are included. If the wound vac was added during a procedure where a wound closure was done, then the wound vac was intended to be a dressing and is part of the global package. Now if you performed a debridement with range 11042-11044 [Debridement, subcutaneous tissue (includes epidermis and dermis, if performed)] and did not close the wound but chose to apply the wound vac to promote healing, then you would have medical necessity met.” You would use 97605 (Negative pressure wound therapy (eg, vacuum assisted drainage collection), utilizing durable medical equipment (DME), including topical application(s), wound assessment, and instruction(s) for ongoing care, per session; total wound(s) surface area less than or equal to 50 square centimeters) if DME was used and based on total wound size. You would turn to 97606 (…total wound(s) surface area greater than 50 square centimeters) if the wound was larger and durable medical equipment (DME) was also used.

If a canister is used to collect fluid from the wound, you will look to 97607 (Negative pressure wound therapy, (eg, vacuum assisted drainage collection), utilizing disposable, non-durable medical equipment including provision of exudate management collection system, topical application(s), wound assessment, and instructions for ongoing care, per session; total wound(s) surface area less than or equal to 50 square centimeters). If the wound is larger than 50 centimeters, you will choose 97608 (…total wound(s) surface area greater than 50 square centimeters).