Wiki Nail removal and I&D

[Elizabethchris]

Hello,

A physician performed a nail plate removal along with I&D drainage which he reported with 10061. I know the I&D and nail plate removal are 2 separate services, however he mentioned that he avulsed the nail cause it caused an infection therefore he also performed an I&D. My question is, can we report 17003 & 10061 with modifier 59 (Distinct procedure), or should we only report 10061. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[ebarnett]

I assume you mean 11730 instead of 17003. Since both procedures were performed on the same nail it would not be appropriate to code 11730. 11730 is bundled into 10061 and shouldn't be unbundled unless performed on a different finger/nail.