Wiki Debridement Help!!

[Jckidder]

There is some argument in my office whether or not this is allowable. Please help with this.

If a patient is in the post-op period and comes in for a follow up and during that visit the doctor debbrides the wound is that considered part of the post op period or can that be billed with a modifier on it?

 

[StacyAnnSC]

per a seminar I went to yesterday by Karen Zupko Associates, per Medicare guidelines unless the condition requires a return to the operating room all follow up care including treatment of complications is part of the global / post-op period.
CPT guidelines state "typical postoperative follow up care" so if it's NOT Medicare it may depend on the insurance carrier whether they follow CPT guidelines or Medicare guidelines whether they pay or not... clear as mud, huh??

 

[kathyshelton]

to muddy the waters even more....at our state coders conference last month we were told that the "operating room" could be a procedure room that is set up primarily for office procedures. What are the thoughts on that?

 

[Jckidder]

Thank you for all the help.