tci ED Coding & Reimbursement Alert - 2003 Issue 2

You Be the Coder: Laceration Codes with or without -54

Test your coding knowledge. Determine how you would code this situation before looking at the box below for the answer. Question: When our physicians perform minor procedures, we report codes with modifier -54 because physicians instruct patients to follow up with their primary-care physicians for the suture removal. If the patient returns to the emergency department for suture removal, we report 99281 with the appropriate ICD-9 code. Is this coding correct? Kansas Subscriber   Answer: Yes, you are technically correct. However, your approach leans toward conservative. Most practices report the laceration code without -54 (Surgical care only) and then...

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