Wiki I & D Coding

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mbarker

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Physician inserted a needle into an abscess on the patients external ear about .5 cc of fluid was released but it was not extracted with a syringe the physician poked the abcess with a needle and then squeezed the abcess until all the fluid was removed. Would it be appropriate to code this service out as a 10160 for a puncture aspiration of an abcess even though the fluid wasn't technically aspirated with a syringe? Any thoughts are much appreciated.

Thanks,
 
mbarker said:
Physician inserted a needle into an abscess on the patients external ear about .5 cc of fluid was released but it was not extracted with a syringe the physician poked the abcess with a needle and then squeezed the abcess until all the fluid was removed. Would it be appropriate to code this service out as a 10160 for a puncture aspiration of an abcess even though the fluid wasn't technically aspirated with a syringe? Any thoughts are much appreciated.

Thanks,
Click to expand...

Could also use 10060 and consider the needle he opened it with to be the surgical instrument. Sounds like a basic I&D procedure.
 
CPT Assistant April 2010 had a question about using a needle to puncture an abscess which was then allowed to drain. AMA said you couldn't code 10060 because there was no incision and you couldn't code 10160 because there was no aspiration. Their option was E/M if documented.
 
donnajrichmond said:
CPT Assistant April 2010 had a question about using a needle to puncture an abscess which was then allowed to drain. AMA said you couldn't code 10060 because there was no incision and you couldn't code 10160 because there was no aspiration. Their option was E/M if documented.
Click to expand...

Well there you go! Good to know as did not have access to the CPT Assistant info.
 
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