Orthopedic Coding Alert

Reader Question:

Correctly Report Wound Care

Question: How does one report an irrigation and debridement, wound closure and placement of drain in a wound?

Ohio Subscriber

Answer: It would be better to have a complete description of the location of the wound and the procedure of wound care. You may select from codes 12001 (Simple repair of superficial wounds of scalp, neck, axillae, external genitalia, trunk and/or extremities (including hands and feet); 2.5 cm or less) to 12021 (Treatment of superficial wound dehiscence; with packing) depending upon the size, location, and repair procedure of the wound. Code 12032 (Repair, intermediate, wounds of scalp, axillae, trunk and/or extremities (excluding hands and feet); 2.6 cm to 7.5 cm) is used to specify intermediate repair in wounds that are 2.6 to 7.5 cm in size and are located on the scalp, trunk, or extremities.