Wiki debridement- there are 2

[bgardner0125]

I there are 2 wounds on the same leg --one on the ankle and one on the lateral leg -- can I use the 59 mod and bill debridement twice? Thanks

 

[espressoguy]

To properly code wound debridement you add up the total size of the wounds of similar depths and only code once for each depth.

For example: the provider debrides a full thickness wound on the left leg measuring 4 cm by 1 cm and another full thickness wound on the right leg measuring 2 cm by 2 cm. You would code this as 97597 (Total wound size is 8 sq cm). If the total wound size was greater than 20 sq. cm you would also code 97598 for each additional 20 sq cm.

Now, if the wound on the right leg was debrided down to subcutaneous tissue then you would code 97597 for the left leg and 11042 for the right leg. You would add modifier 59 to the 97597.

Similarly, you would use 11043 if the wound was debrided down to muscle and/or fascia and 11044 if it was debrided down to bone.

 

[bgardner0125]

ok thanks