Winter Laceration Repair: How Do I Code For Dermabond?

Posted on 17. Jan, 2010 by sanjay.aikat.

Warning: Your coding will vary depending on who’s getting the claim

Question: A 60-year-old patient reports to the ED with a bandaged left hand. The patient says she was cleaning out the blades of her snow blower and cut her left index finger; the wound is wrapped in gauze, but it is reddening with blood. During an expanded problem focused history and exam, the physician undresses the wound, applies pressure and ice to stop the bleeding, and cleans it using Betadine. During the E/M service, the physician notes a laceration to the index finger but no signs of infection. Using Dermabond, the physician closes a 2.7 cm laceration on the patient’s finger. How should I code this encounter?

Answer…

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Simple Laceration Repair Code or E/M Code? Answer Could Cost Hundreds

Posted on 31. Mar, 2009 by .

Not recognizing a laceration repair that’s included in an E/M won’t cost you anything, but identifying a separately countable one could add $100 or more to your bottom line.

You’ll be able to spot E/M-repair code combo scenarios, and optimize rightful reimbursement, with this expert advice.

Materials Matter When IDing E/M Fixes

Your ED physician will treat a lot of patients with lacerations; some will be E/M services, and some will be simple fixes, which CPT represents with 12001-12021.

AUDIO: Tired of being in a tug-of-war between your local payers and EMTALA rules? Caral Edelberg has relief. 

“An average of one in 15 emergency patients receives some form of wound care,” says James Blakeman, senior vice president at Emergency Groups Office in Arcadia, Calif. This means that every ED, regardless of location, is going to see its share of laceration repair claims.

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