patient seen in ER for toe abscess. Physician numbs the toe with lidocaine and uses mosquito forceps to enlarged the opening for drainage. Should this be coded as a an I&D, and I&D with a reduced service modifier since no real incision is made or just be part of E/M?
-
If this is your first visit, be sure to check out the FAQ & read the forum rules. To view all forums, post or create a new thread, you must be an AAPC Member. If you are a member and have already registered for member area and forum access, you can log in by clicking here. If you've forgotten the password it can be reset on our sign in section by entering your registered Email Address or Username here. To start viewing messages, select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below..
Wiki abscess drainage
- Thread starter mommacode
- Start date
MarcusM
Expert
In my opinion, it would be an E&M since it was a straight forward problem and the I&D codes don't really describe what was performed.
tjrice
Guest
The documentation would be the main consideration for which code. Regardless if a knife or a mosquito was used, the abscess was entered. Was the wound packed? This, to me is an I&D, especially if a pack was opened, the area was anesthetized, and if the wound was packed. This may be a case where the provider under documented themselves out of an appropriate fee.
Last edited: