Pediatric Coding Alert

Question: Should I bill for a suture/surgical tray or other supplies in addition to a laceration repair code?

Tennessee Subscriber

Answer: You may separately report supplies and materials that your pediatrician uses when she repairs a laceration (12001-13160). For instance, your pediatrician uses a sterile tray while closing a 2-cm superficial leg wound. You should report 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) for the simple repair and A4550 (Surgical trays) or 99070 (Supplies and materials  ...) for the surgical suture tray. Because the HCPCS level-II code is more specific than the generic CPT code, payers may cover A4450 more readily than 99070.