Wiki marlee

[mcharlton]

Could someone tell me which code and modifier do I use when someone has stitches in the ER then comes to physician's office to have them removed?

 

[Lisa Bledsoe]

You don't need a modifier, just code the E/M for suture removal.

 

[martha37]

suture removal

this has a 10 day global

 

[mitchellde]

You use the same repair code they used in the ER and add a 55 modifier. In Box 19 of the 1500 you put a transfer of care notation, and be sure to keep something in the chart ot indicate a transfer of care. The discharge instructions for the ER if they say return to family doc or a verbaly authorization notation. If the patient were instructed to return to the ER but they declined then you have no authorization to remove them.