Surgery: Integumentary System (Q&A) (August 2016)

August 2016 page 9a Surgery: Integumentary System Question: If the physician removes nonviable subcutaneous tissue using a selective, nonexcisional technique, which code should be reported: code 97597 for active wound management or code 11042 for a subcutaneous tissue debridement? Answer: If the tissue removed is at a subcutaneous tissue level or deeper, it would be appropriate to report codes 11042-11047, depending on the deepest level of tissue removed and the total surface area of that depth removed. Multiple debridements at different depths should be added together and reported for a total surface area of each depth. However, if the...

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Note:  The following article synopsis was NOT provided by the AMA. It was created by Find-A-Code/innoviHealth.

Article Overview

This August 2016 CPT Assistant question-and-answer article addresses several integumentary system coding scenarios relevant to surgery and wound care. It is useful for coders, compliance staff, and surgical practices that need to understand how CPT guidance discusses debridement depth, hidradenitis excision reporting, and tattooing-related questions in the setting of nipple reconstruction.

Why This Topic Matters

The article helps readers locate CPT guidance on common integumentary coding questions that can affect reporting consistency and claim accuracy. It is especially relevant for practices handling wound management, hidradenitis surgery, and reconstruction-related procedures.

Article Sections

  1. Active wound management and debridement

    Discusses an integumentary-system wound care question involving selective tissue removal and the CPT framework referenced for reporting by tissue depth and area.

  2. Hidradenitis excision reporting

    Addresses a question about reporting excision of hidradenitis in areas not specifically described within a CPT code family and whether repeat reporting within the same operative session may occur.

  3. Nipple micropigmentation and tattooing

    Covers a reconstruction-related tattooing question involving a clinic setting, personnel involvement, and the CPT code family referenced for tattooing by size.

What You Will Learn

  • The CPT topics covered in the article.
  • How the article frames wound management versus debridement questions.
  • How the article addresses hidradenitis excision reporting questions.
  • How the article discusses tattooing questions in relation to nipple reconstruction.
  • Which integumentary-system CPT code families are discussed in the Q&A.

Who Should Read This

  • Medical coders
  • Surgical billers
  • Compliance staff
  • Plastic surgery practices
  • Wound care teams

Codes Discussed

Code Ranges Discussed


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