Wiki E/M code for removal of sutures

[jeaner54175@yahoo.com]

We had an established patient return to the clinic to have his sutures removed by the provider who placed them. The provider used the E/M code 99499 for that suture removal; I disagreed on it and thought it should have been 99212. Does anyone have any thoughts on this?

Thank you,
Lisa

 

[mitchellde]

It depends on the procedure that was performed originally. If it has a global then you do not charge for the removal if it has no global then a visit level that matches the documentation a 99211 or a 99212.

 

[Tazlar]

mitchellde

I know this is an old post but, my question is: does the fact that there is a global make a difference if the visit for the suture removal is well past the global period has ended? Such as a retained suture removed 6 months later. I would code this as a 99212 with Z48.02 DX and again same provider that performed the original surgery. Thank you for the clarification.

 

[mitchellde]

if the visit is past the global then it is billable with a visit level that is supported by the documentation. The dx code is either a complication code for the retained suture or a trauma code. With more information I can only speculate but given what you have stated I do not feel the Z48 code would be correct.

 

[Tazlar]

thank you so much, I will look further into a complication code.