tci General Surgery Coding Alert - 2005 Issue 4

Reader Questions: Packing Doesn't Guarantee Complex I&D

Question: Would you clarify the difference between a simple and complex incision and drainage (10060 and 10061)? We have read the Coding Clinic guidelines and the Coders Desk Reference for Procedures and are under the impression that the difference in the procedures is determined by whether or not the clinician uses packing after the incision. Is this correct?Alaska SubscriberAnswer: Your assumption may be correct in some cases, but not in others. The description for code 10060 (Incision and drainage of abscess; simple or single) includes clinical examples of a carbuncle, suppurative hidradenitis, cutaneous or subcutaneous abscess, paronychia, cyst...

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