Dermatology Coding Alert
Reader Questions:
Suture Removal - to Bill or Not?
Published on Thu Jan 06, 2005 
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Question: During a follow-up visit for a lesion removal at the office, the dermatologist removed several sutures from the patient's hand. Can we charge separately for the suture removal? Answer: No, you can't charge for suture removal. If your dermatologist placed the sutures in the first place, suture removal is included as a part of the global package of the primary procedure.
Massachusetts Subscriber
If your dermatologist did not place the sutures, you may consider the removal as a component of any E/M service the dermatologist provides on the same date. In such a case, you should use ICD-9 code V58.3 (Attention to surgical dressings and sutures) as a secondary diagnosis.
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