Wiki extensive debridement 29823

[sknox2140]

Must the word "extensive" be documented in order to use the code 29823 prior to Jan 2021?:?

 

[thomas7331]

No, it doesn't have to state 'extensive'. There's a good article here on the AAPC site that explains and gives some examples on what qualifies as extensive debridement, which it defines as "debridement of multiple soft structures, multiple hard structures, or a combination of both":

https://www.aapc.com/blog/39114-stay-current-when-reporting-shoulder-procedures/

 

[sknox2140]

Thank you so much!

 

[Orthocoderpgu]

Thank you so much!

Also keep in mind that debridement that is part of a repair is not counted toward 29823.