Wiki Debridement

[wynonna]

Our internal Med physician performed a debridement on infected leg wounds. What is the essential difference between 11000 "Debridement of extensive eczematous or infected skin; up to 10% of body surface" and:
97597 "Debridement, open wound (waterjet, suction, sharp selective debridement, scissors, scalpel and forceps) open wound with assessment-surface area first 20 square cm or less." We tried billing 96702 and it denied.
Should we use 11000 or 97597 for this office procedure?
Thank you

 

[simam]

Lets put in this way
11000 is confined to the skin
97597 is for managing wound care

11000 has more RVU value than 97597 as First time treatment requires more efforts and time. Therefore Medicare has put less money for managing wound care.

You may try 11000 as it was not managing wound care rather it may been treating it. Hope it helps