Wiki 7th character initial encounter clarification

[kenni727]

The 7th character for initial encounter is used for the first visit/evaluation. But if no treatment done at that time would "initial encounter" also be used for the next encounter when actual treatment performed? Or would that then qualify as "subsequent encounter"?
Example: patient had surgery on foot and during a post op visit it was noted from an X ray there was displacement of internal fixation device. So code T84.223A is used for that encounter, at which time it was planned for return to surgery to correct the displacement. For the surgery, would it still be T84.223A? As this is the first time it's actually being treated. Or would it now be T84.223D?

 

[amyjph]

Think of it this way, in general:
A = active treatment
D= "ordinary follow up" (routine)
The A could be present at multiple encounters depending on what was done.
The surgery would be "A" also because it is actively being treated with surgery.