tci General Surgery Coding Alert - 2013 Issue 2

Reader Question: Watch Global Period Requirements

Question: Our surgeon performs an incision and drainage on Jan. 2, and the patient returns to the office on Jan. 7 for a follow-up appointment. Noting redness and "weeping" at the site, the surgeon reopens the abscess with an 18 gauge needle and applies pressure to encourage drainage. How should we bill the visit?Texas Subscriber Answer: You should bill the follow-up appointment by reporting the incision and drainage procedure rather than an E/M code. You should list 10060 (Incision and drainage of abscess [e.g., carbuncle, suppurative hidradenitis, cutaneous or subcutaneous abscess, cyst, furuncle, or paronychia]; simple or...

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