Wiki PCP Visit After Urgent Care Visit for a Laceration_ First vs. Subsequent Encounter

[Talia523]

One of the physicians here at our primary care office provided me with the following scenario: One of the physician's established patients has a laceration. The patient calls our practice requesting to be seen; however, the doctor is not able to see the patient today due to her booked up schedule. The patient goes to an urgent care facility and receives care for the laceration that required stitches. The patient does not return to the urgent care facility to have the stitches removed, instead she calls the practice and schedules a follow up appointment with her PCP. The PCP sees the patient and removes her stitches.
Question: The primary diagnosis is a Z-code (forgive my ignorance in not knowing which Z-code) and wants to know if this visit is considered a first or subsequent encounter?

Please advise and thank you in advance.

 

[mitchellde]

The primary diagnosis is NOT a Z code in this scenario. You do mot use aftercare Z codes for injury encounters. You use in this case the laceration code with a D as the 7th character instead of the Z code for suture removal.