Debridement question

[YAMILLECIRINO]

Hello,

I have the following codes for this case:

11042 – Debridement, subcutaneous tissue (includes epidermis and dermis, if performed); first 20 sq cm or less
11045 - Debridement, subcutaneous tissue (includes epidermis and dermis, if performed); each additional 20 sq cm, or part thereof
11045 - Debridement, subcutaneous tissue (includes epidermis and dermis, if performed); each additional 20 sq cm, or part thereof

The operative report states “A total of 60 sq. cm. of skin and subcutaneous necrotic fat was debrided and excised.” Why wasn’t a code(s) for excisional debridement of the skin (dermis) assigned?

What are the appropriate modifiers to append?

Thanks

[espressoguy]

Wound debridement is coded by depth and includes everything debrided down to that depth. The description of 11042 that you posted even says, "includes epidermis and dermis, if performed."

11045 is an add-on code for 11042 so no modifier is needed. Typically this would be coded as 11045 with 2 units as opposed to 11045 on 2 lines.