Anesthesia Coding Alert

Question: What code would we use for a CT-guided irrigation and drainage of a psoas muscle abscess? Vermont SubscriberAnswer: For a deep abscess, choose 26990 (Incision and drainage, pelvis or hip joint area; deep abscess or hematoma). For a more superficial procedure, report 10060 (Incision and drainage of abscess [e.g., carbuncle, suppurative hidradenitis, curaneous or subcutaneous abscess, cyst, furuncle, or paronychia]; simple or single).Definition: The psoas muscle originates on the lumbar vertebrae and attaches to the femur, so you'll want to choose a code related to procedures in the hip region. You'll also need to know how deeply the physician went to treat the abscess because the psoas muscle is divided into superficial and deep areas. CPT defines "superficial" versus "deep" in the introductory notes before repair/closure codes (prior to code 12001). A superficial repair primarily involves the epidermis or dermis and subcutaneous tissue. A deep repair is considered "intermediate" [...]