Pulmonology Coding Alert

Reader Question:

Choose 10060 Rather Than Critical Care Codes

Question: Our pulmonologist occasionally performs a small "x" incision in a patient's chest to release trapped subcutaneous air while administering critical care. If we can report the incision separately, which code should we use? Or should we add the procedure into the level of critical care?

Florida Subscriber Answer: Don't add the service into the critical-care level. Instead, you should code incisions to release trapped subcutaneous air as 10060 (Incision and drainage of abscess [e.g., carbuncle, suppurative hidradenitis, cutaneous or subcutaneous abscess, cyst, furuncle, or paronychia]; simple or single).
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 Revenue Cycle Insider
  • 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

Other Articles in this issue of

Pulmonology Coding Alert

View All