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Pediatric Coding Alert

Reader Question:

Suture Removal

Published on Fri Dec 28, 2012

Question: How do we bill for removal of sutures placed elsewhere? The child has had sutures put in at the hospital or by another doctor. The patient returns to use the primary-care pediatrician for the suture removal. Is the evaluation and management (E/M) code 99212 correct?

Oklahoma Subscriber

Answer: It is certainly appropriate to charge for suture removal on a patient who had sutures placed at another facility. Code 99212 is correct if the only service provided was a quick check of the wound and removal of the sutures. However, if there was any wound infection or problem with the sutures, then it may be more appropriate to charge a 99213. Remember, that code 99212 is for a problem that is self-limited or minor, so any additional exam or discussion may warrant a higher code. Complete documentation is key in this case.
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