Podiatry Coding & Billing Alert

Question: I’m new to podiatry coding. Can you explain to me what active wound care management is and what codes I can report for this procedure?

Arizona Subscriber

Answer: Active wound care management involves procedures such as debriding areas of devitalized tissue using a process such as sharp excision, high-pressure waterjet, or non-selective processes such as abrasion or enzyme treatments. According to the CPT^® guidelines, the intent of these procedures is “to remove devitalized and/or necrotic tissue and promote healing.”

Remember: Active wound care management involves epidermis and dermis only.

You’ll report active wound care management with codes such as the following:

• 97597 (Debridement (eg, high pressure waterjet with/without suction, sharp selective debridement with scissors, scalpel and forceps), open wound, (eg, fibrin, devitalized epidermis and/or dermis, exudate, debris, biofilm), including topical application(s), wound assessment, use of a whirlpool, when performed and instruction(s) for ongoing care, per session, total wound(s) surface area; first 20 sq cm or less) and +97598 (… each additional 20 sq cm, or part thereof (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure)).
• 97602 (Removal of devitalized tissue from wound(s), non-selective debridement, without anesthesia (eg, wet-to-moist dressings, enzymatic, abrasion, larval therapy), including topical application(s), wound assessment, and instruction(s) for ongoing care, per session).