tci ED Coding & Reimbursement Alert - 2020 Issue Q2

Reader Question: Go Beyond Surface Level for Foreign Body Removal

Question: We saw a patient who presented with a metal splinter in her hand. The ED physician removed the splinter, which was embedded in surface tissue. Which code applies here? Oregon Subscriber Answer: This foreign body removal (FBR) appears to have been subcutaneous and didn’t go all the way down to the fascia level, so you’ll report 10120 (Incision and removal of foreign body, subcutaneous tissues; simple) or 10121 (… complicated), depending on encounter specifics. A foreign body to the subcutaneous tissue might include such items as a thorn, a splinter, or even a piece of metal...

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