Wiki confusing lesion closure issue

[bsuse]

has anybody run across this scenario? doctor does sutures subcutaneously then steri-strips the outer layer. can you still considered this an intermediate closure or do you have to resort to a simple repair because of the steri-strips on outer layer???

thanks!
barb

 

[RNCPC0709]

This is a tough one!

Have never run across this one, but it poses some interesting questions:

1. I don't think a simple closure applies, because this assumes repair is only superficial, and he is placing sutures subq.

2. I have been looking around, but I can't find a reason why you couldn't bill an intermediate repair. I don't see why using steri-strips to repair the superficial layer rather that sutures negates the fact that both layers of tissue were repaired. Nothing in the code descriptor indicates that sutures must be the method of repair, although it is a little unusual to use steri-strips rather than sutures.

Just my opinion.
**********
PB

 

[FTessaBartels]

ON the other hand

On the other hand ... if he ONLY used steri-strips (without the subq) he would not even be able to bill a simple repair.

I'd be inclined to code simple repair for this one.

F Tessa Bartels, CPC, CEMC

 

[RNCPC0709]

On the other hand ... if he ONLY used steri-strips (without the subq) he would not even be able to bill a simple repair.

I'd be inclined to code simple repair for this one.

F Tessa Bartels, CPC, CEMC

I'm still stuck on the sutures placed in the subq layer, which is not a simple repair. After reading your post, though, I think you have a point about the steri-strips. Maybe an intermediate repair code with a 53 modifier would be the most correct?