Radiology Coding Alert

Question: Our physician was asked to use ultrasound to evaluate a patient with a diagnosis of stage I pressure ulcer on her lower back. How should I report this diagnosis?

Indiana Subscriber

Answer: You should submit a pair of codes. The first should represent the ulcer, and the second should indicate the ulcer's stage. On the claim, report the following:

• 707.03 (Pressure ulcer, lower back) for the pressure ulcer
• 707.21 (Pressure ulcer, stage I) for the pressure ulcer's stage.

Key point: Use the "stage" codes (707.2x) to describe the status of the patient's wound, but code the ulcer location first using 707.0x.