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Wiki Need Guidance on When Wound Closure Codes Reportable with Exploration Codes

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jshaw8808

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Hello,

I'm still new to coding and am finding it difficult to know when wound closure is separately reportable from wound exploration (and when it isn't).

For example, I had a neck stabbing that required exploration and a complex closure, and I was told to report 20100 for exploring the wound, plus 13132-59 for a complex closure.

The reason given was that "This is a separate procedure to close the outside of the wound, from the exploration inside the wound."

So, is closure only bundled when a fresh incision is made, just for the exploration? I mean, otherwise, couldn't you always say that this was a separate closure procedure from the exploration?

What guidance can anyone share or point me to, that will clear this up?

Thanks,

Jim Shaw

CPC-A
 
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