Urology Coding Alert

Question: One of our physicians did an incision and drainage of a scrotal abscess on October 4. On October 6 he took the patient back to the OR for debridement of the abscess and placement of a wound vacuum. On Oct. 10, he took the patient to the OR once again for removal of the wound vacuum and closure of the wound. My question is: what of this can be billed for the Oct. 6 and Oct. 10 services? Or is it all considered part of the original service on Oct. 4?

Maryland Subscriber

Answer: Initially code 54700 (Incision and drainage of epididymis, testis and/or scrotal space [e.g., abscess or hematoma]) for the incision and drainage of the scrotal abscess with diagnosis N49.2 (Inflammatory disorders of scrotum). You should be able to bill for the debridement with procedure code 97607 (Negative pressure wound therapy, [e.g.. vacuum assisted drainage collection] utilizing disposable, non-durable medical equipment including provision of exudate management collection system, topical application[s], wound assessment, and instruction for ongoing care per session, total wound[s] surface areas, less than or equal to 50 square centimeters) and modifier 58 (Staged or related procedure or service by the same physician or other qualified health care professional during the postoperative period).

For the service on October 10, the removal of the vacuum and wound closure would be included in the services of code 54700.