Dermatology Coding Alert

Answer: No. Because the second visit was within the 10-day global period for 10060 (Incision and drainage of abscess [e.g., carbuncle, suppurative hidradenitis, cutaneous or subcutaneous abscess, cyst, furuncle, or paronychia]; simple or single), you cannot code for the repacking of the wound.

 

However: If the dermatologist did not perform a therapeutic procedure (10060) during the initial visit and simply bandaged the abscess with instructions to return in follow-up a few days later, you’ll report the appropriate E/M code, such as 99212 (Office or other outpatient visit for the evaluation and management of an established patient …), at the time of follow-up in addition to whatever E/M code you reported for the initial encounter.