Wiki Coding sutures

[jeaner54175@yahoo.com]

I am really confused with this and getting pulled different directions from the medical staff. A new patient comes into the clinic and receives sutures on a finger. I think we should code e/m code for a new patient plus the repair code of 12001. The provider says no it should be an unlisted e/m code of 99499 plus the repair code of 12001.

If the patient comes back to have the sutures removed by the same provider it would be considered part of the global package and then we would use the 99499 code? Any thoughts please....

Thanks,
Lisa

 

[kgoldman CPC COC]

sutures

I have been coding the E&M plus the laceration. But I would like to know what to do on the suture removal also. At least the correct way of coding it. They want an E&M on everything.

Help is appreciated.