Wiki Suture removal in the emergency department

[JH0719]

When a patient sees a hospital emergency department for a laceration and has a laceration repair (not under general anesthesia) and is told to return to the emergency department for suture removal. Question if can charge a lowest level e/m 99281 (based on the report criteria meeting that level 1) for both facility and physician? Or, is the suture removal part of the e/m? Thank you.

 

[thomas7331]

If the laceration was repaired by the ED provider and the suture removal is within the 10-day global period, the physician cannot bill for the removal. The global period does not apply to the facility however, so the facility may bill their charge for the use of the emergency room. In my experience, though, as a courtesy to the patient many organizations would not bill at all even if it is outside of the global period since this is such a minor service.

 

[JH0719]

Thank you very much. Have a happy holiday!