Orthopedic Coding Alert

Question: Our provider completed a postoperative wound-vac change in the office. Can we bill for the service?

New Jersey Subscriber

Answer: Yes, you should be able to code wound-vac change because the service isn't considered part of the postoperative global package. Choose your code based on the wound size: either 97605 (Negative pressure wound therapy [e.g., vacuum assisted drainage collection], including topical application[s], wound assessment, and instruction[s] for ongoing care, per session; total wound[s] surface area less than or equal to 50 square centimeters) or 97606 (... total wound[s] surface area greater than 50 square centimeters).

Watch: Wound-vac therapy isn't part of postoperative global care, but should be part of the patient's wound care plan of care. Although your physician will prescribe the treatment, a non-physician practitioner usually performs the service.