tci General Surgery Coding Alert - 2023 Issue Q4

You Be the Coder: Check Treatment Depth for Debridement Code Selection

Question: We have a case in which the surgeon documents sharp selective debridement with scissors for an open wound involving the epidermis and dermis, including dressing the wound and providing wound-care instruction. Should we use the debridement codes or active wound care codes? South Carolina Subscriber Answer: You should report the following code(s) depending on the surface area involved: 97597 (Debridement (eg, high pressure waterjet with/without suction, sharp selective debridement with scissors, scalpel and forceps), open wound, (eg, fibrin, devitalized epidermis and/or dermis, exudate, debris, biofilm), including topical application(s), wound assessment, use of a whirlpool, when performed and instruction(s)...

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