Current CPT Assistant?
I did find one of my documents that seems to support the venous compression with 97597. I also haven't had any billing denials in 2 years on this with venous ulcers. Does anyone know if there is a correction to this CPT Assistant from May 2011?
Debridement
CPT Assistant, May 2011 Page: 3-5, 11 Category:
Related Information
Question:
A chronic ulcer of the calf measures 10 cm x 11 cm (110 sq cm). Approximately 30% (33 sq cm) of the ulcer requires debridement of slough and eschar at the dermis (code 97597). The physician manages the entire wound, debrides 33 sq cm, dresses the entire wound appropriately, and applies a multilayer of high-compression bandage system to the entire wound. How is this reported?
Answer:
Because the depth of the debridement was to the level of the dermis and only 33 sq cm of the wound was debrided, the procedure is reported using the two debridement codes: code 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 add-on code 97598 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; each additional 20 sq cm, or part thereof (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure).
In this case, codes 97597 and 97598 are each reported only once. Code 97597 for the first 20 sq cm and code 97598 for the next 13 sq cm. The application of the wound dressing is not separately reported. However, the application of the multilayer high-compression bandage system is reported using code 29581, Application of multi-layer venous wound compression system, below knee.