AHA Coding Clinic® for ICD-9 - 2005 Issue 2; Ask the Editor

Excisional Debridement of Other Sites

We are requesting clarification regarding the coding of excisional debridements. Advice given in Coding Clinic First Quarter 1991 states to assign a code to the deepest layer for excisional debridement; this is understandable for layers that are included in the index such as muscle and bone. However, how are deeper layers of debridement coded when they are not included in the index? In addition, the tabular list does not direct the coder to other sites. Some specific examples are fascia and soft tissue. These are deeper layers than skin and subcutaneous tissue, however, neither the index nor the Tabular List lead the coder to another code. Please direct us on how to code excisional debridements of sites that are deeper than skin and subcutaneous tissue, but are not included in the index or tabular list directions. ...

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