TPeniston61
Networker
I am part of an orthopaedic practice. The surgeon is doing an I & D for a chronically infected postoperative wound following total knee arthroplasty. He is billing for a skin substitute graft with negative pressure wound therapy with codes 10180, 15271, 15272 and 97605. Per NCCI edits, 97605 is a column 2 code for 15271. Can I bill for the 97605 with 59 modifier? What documentation is necessary to warrant billing the 97605 as a distinct procedure. The wound is 50 sq cm, with full-skin necrosis along the medial aspect of her total knee wound. The doctor indicates that he wants to prevent deep infection and improve chances of healing. He is using a collagen matrix. A full description of the VAC wound procedure is included.