Tag Archives: 10120
Look for Incision Evidence in Foreign Body Removal (FBR) Scenarios
Posted on 28. Mar, 2010 by Editor.
Here’s why you should append modifier 25.
Question: A 47-year-old male reports to the ED complaining of a painful, swollen, and reddening right thumb. The physician performs an expanded problem focused history and examination, which uncovers two splinters. The ED physician cannot grasp the splinters with tweezers, so she uses a scalpel to make two small incisions above the splinters. The physician then uses tweezers to remove both pieces of wood. The notes do not indicate evidence of infection at the extraction site; medical decision making is moderate. Can I code this as a foreign body removal (FBR)?
Kentucky Subscriber
Answer: Since the physician made an incision before removing the splinters, this is an FBR. On the claim, report the following:
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Factor Location and Depth into Foreign-Body Removals
Posted on 15. Feb, 2010 by Editor.
Explore these three “what if” scenarios to perfect your FBR claims.
Your foreign-body removal (FBR) coding can vary greatly depending on the type of foreign body, its anatomic location, and the depth from which the physician must remove it. Here are three case studies to help you find your way.
Case 1: No Incision Means No Separate FBR
The situation: While operating a metal lathe, the patient embeds several small metal filings in his shoulder. In the office, the physician inspects the wounds and, using tweezers, extracts the shards.
The solution:
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Coding Challenge: Foot Foreign Body Removal Vs. Soft-Tissue FBR
Posted on 16. Jun, 2009 by .
Question: Our physician performed a foreign-body removal (FBR) on a patient with a splinter in the subcutaneous tissues of his left foot. We reported 10120 and received a denial. Should I appeal, or did I code improperly?
Answer: : In this case, there is a more specific code for a foot FBR. Code 10120 (Incision and removal of foreign body, subcutaneous tissues; simple) is in the “Integumentary” part of CPT’s “Surgery” section. It is for simple, subcutaneous incision and removal of foreign bodies when no more specific code exists.
For reporting subcutaneous FBRs from the foot, a more specific code does exist.
When your physician removes a foreign body from a patient’s foot, choose from:
• 28190 — Removal of foreign body, foot; subcutaneous
• 28192 — … deep
• 28193 — … complicated.
Ahhh, Summer. That’s means FBRs, sunburn diagnosis coding challenges, tetanus denials & more. Tackle them all with Jen Godreau’s Summer Coding Survival Guide.
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Know What Separates FBR From E/M or Lose $80 in Pay
Posted on 26. Feb, 2009 by .
Here’s why ‘incision’ with non-scalpel instrument could be an FBR.
If you cannot spot simple or complicated foreign body removal (FBR) qualifiers, you could end up costing the ED more than $80 for a simple removal, or more than double that per complex episode. Galvanize your soft-tissue FBR coding skills with this expert advice.
Follow CPT for FBR Definition
Coding for soft-tissue FBRs seems simple enough: A patient reports to the ED with an FB, the physician removes it, and you choose an FBR CPT code.
Not so fast: The above scenario might be an FBR, but it might also be an E/M service. To report one of the soft-tissue FBR codes, the encounter should fit the following description, from Joshua Tepperberg, CPC, EMT-D: The provider makes an incision to the overlying skin, and then removes the FB.
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