Orthopedic Coding Alert
Reader Question:
Scar Revision
Published on Fri Mar 01, 2002
Question: How should I code a scar revision of the forearm during which the surgeon cut out the old scar and performed a one-degree closure that is 3 cm long?
Alabama Subscriber
Answer: Use 13121 (Repair, complex, scalp, arms, and/or legs; 2.6 cm to 7.5 cm) in the Integumentary System section of CPT. As notes at the beginning of the Repair (Closure) section dictate, the complex repair codes are used for repair of wounds requiring more than layered closure, viz., scar revision, debridement (e.g., traumatic lacerations or avulsions), extensive undermining, stents or retention sutures. Excision of the scar is included in the complex repair codes.
Other Articles in this issue of
Orthopedic Coding Alert
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Question: How should I code for a posteromedial tibial periosteal stripping that I did in [...] - Reader Question:
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Question: Our surgeon reports that he did an open lateral deltoid splitting approach for a [...] - Reader Question:
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Question: How should I code repair of a Bankart lesion and a SLAP lesion?
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Modifier and E/M Visits
Question: My physician is adding modifier -57 to all E/M visits where the decision for [...] - Reader Question:
Scar Revision
Question: How should I code a scar revision of the forearm during which the surgeon [...] - Reader Question:
Casting and Splinting
Question: I know casting is included in the fracture repair codes, but what about strapping [...] - Reader Question:
One Incision
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