Pediatric Coding Alert

Question: Our patient had an abscess on her leg that was treated several days ago. Today, the pediatrician just performed a dressing change. What is the correct procedure code for this? It was not for a burn.

South Dakota subscriber

Answer: First you should look back at the original notes from when the doctor first treated the abscess to determine whether an incision and drainage was performed. If so, you are probably still falling under the I&D's ten-day global period, which means you can't charge anything.

If not, you'll simply report an office visit code (99212-99213) if the pediatrician was examining the wound to ensure that it was healing well and then dressed it again afterward.