tci General Surgery Coding Alert - 2006 Issue 7

Reader Questions: VAC Now Pays With Correct Dx

Question: I-ve heard that we can now bill Medicare for VAC therapy (as of 2006). Is this true? When is this procedure appropriate?Florida Subscriber Answer: Yes, you can report vacuum-assisted collection (VAC) codes 97605 (Negative pressure wound therapy [e.g., vacuum-assisted drainage collection], including topical application[s], wound assessment, and instruction[s] for ongoing care, per session; total wound[s] surface area less than or equal to 50 square centimeters) and 97606 (... total wound[s] surface area greater than 50 square centimeters) for Medicare payers. Prior to 2006, the Medicare fee schedule assigned zero relative value units to 97605 and...

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