Suture CPT question

[TammyHF]

Is there a surture removal CPT for when a physician removes sutures that they did not put in? I can find suture removal under anesthsia CPT code but this patient needs sutures removed that were put in by an ER doctor.
Thank you,
Tammy

 

[bsuse]

suture removal

you would use a 99211 if a nurse removed the sutures. if a doctor sees the patient to remove them, then you can bill a higher level if documentation supports the level. there is no specific code for removing sutures.

 

[TammyHF]

Thank you I will let the physician know.

Tammy

 

[coder911]

There is a HCPCS code for that service - it is noncovered by Medicare, and who knows if any other payors consider it, but here it is: S0630

 

[gigiduffy]

BCBS will pay for S0630 as long as the sutures were not placed by the doc who is removing - otherwise, its part of the global.

 

[mitchellde]

you would use a 99211 if a nurse removed the sutures. if a doctor sees the patient to remove them, then you can bill a higher level if documentation supports the level. there is no specific code for removing sutures.

FYI before your nurse can remove sutures put in by the ED physician, your physician will need to see and evaluate and write the order to remove the sutures. Your nurse is employed by your physician not the ED physician, the nurse can only follow orders written by their physician they are employed under.