Urology Coding Alert

You Be the Coder:

Old Penile Suture Removal

Question: How should I report removal of old sutures of the penis? The patient is a little boy who was circumcised at three-days-old, but was five at the time of the suture removal.

Indiana Subscriber

Answer: The answer depends on where the suture removal took place.

If your urologist removed the sutures under anesthesia in the operating room, report 15851 (Removal of sutures under anesthesia [other than local], other surgeon).

Alternative: If he performed the procedure in the office, bill the appropriate E/M service for the office encounter. Do no bill separately for the suture removal.

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