Wiki Re-flap on the face

[debrakae]

Patient is status post radiation of a melanoma of the face and ear. Patient had a surgery with a flap and it would not heal. Provider had to go in and redo the flap. Is there a specific code we should be using or do we just use the original code with a modifier showing that it was a repeat procedure? Thanks for any help.

 

[FTessaBartels]

78 modifier

I would use whatever code best describes the current procedure and use a -78 modifier to show that this was an unplanned return to the OR for a related procedure. It may (or may not) be the same code you used previously.

Hope that helps.

F Tessa Bartels, CPC, CEMC