Their corresponding character in ICD-10-CM is:
What are the risks of an I and D? A scar may form on your skin as it heals. Your incision may heal slowly, feel painful, or get infected. Your abscess may come back, even after treatment. You may need another I and D if the abscess comes back. The bacteria may spread to your heart or other organs. This can be life-threatening. Care Agreement
Peritonsillar abscess
Heat: Apply heat on the abscess area to decrease pain or swelling. Heat brings blood to the injured area and may help it drain and heal faster. Use a heating pad (turned on low) or a warm, moist compress. Ask how often you should apply heat to the area and for how long.
10061 Incision and drainage of abscess; complicated or multiple.
Abscesses. The first code in the CPT series for incision and drainage, CPT 10060-10061, defines the procedure as “incision and drainage of abscess (carbuncle, suppurative hidradenitis, cutaneous or subcutaneous abscess, cyst, furuncle, or paronychia); simple or single and complex or multiple.”
CPT code 10080 is used for a simple incision and drainage with local wound care to facilitate healing. And CPT code 10081 for a complicated incision and drainage which includes placement of a drain or packing with gauze. For percutaneous aspiration of abscess, hematoma, bulla or cyst, procedure code 10160 is used.
No to both questions. CPT code 10060 includes incision and drainage, and you stated no incision was made. CPT code 10160 includes puncture and aspiration, and you stated no aspiration was made. The puncture as indicated in your scenario above would be part of the E/M service performed for the patient at that encounter.
For example, there is a considerable difference in reimbursement between CPT codes 10060 and 26010. According to the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS), average reimbursement for code 10060 is $121.68, while the average reimbursement for code 26010 is $272.88.
An incision (not just a puncture) is performed, and the abscess is left open to drain and heal. A complicated I&D 10061 would usually require one or more of the following: multiple incisions, probing to break up loculations, extensive packing, drain placements, and wound closure.
This would be reported with ICD-10-PCS code 0J990ZZ (Drainage of buttock subcutaneous tissue and fascia, open approach).
Notes in the CPT® manual state that a drainage code should be assigned for “each individual collection drained with a separate catheter.” Code 10030 is used for drainage of fluid collection in any part of the body – for example, abdominal wall, soft tissue of the neck, or breast seroma.
A procedure called irrigation & debridement is one of several treatments that can be used to fight bone or joint infection. Typically an irrigation & debridement procedure is performed in the operating room. Another procedure called incision & drainage can be used to treat an abscess.
For smaller abscesses, the physician may simply aspirate the fluid with a syringe and needle; this would be accurately represented by CPT code 10160, Puncture aspiration of abscess, hematoma, bulla, or cyst. Larger and complicated abscesses will require more invasive treatments.
The Current Procedural Terminology (CPT®) code 10030 as maintained by American Medical Association, is a medical procedural code under the range - Introduction and Removal Procedures on the Skin, Subcutaneous and Accessory Structures.
CPT code 10180 (Incision and drainage, complex, postoperative wound infection) would never be reportable for the same patient encounter as the procedure causing the postoperative infection. It may be separately reportable with a subsequent procedure, depending upon the circumstances.
CPT codes, descriptions and other data only are copyright 2020 American Medical Association. All Rights Reserved. Applicable FARS/HHSARS apply.
Language quoted from Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), National Coverage Determinations (NCDs) and coverage provisions in interpretive manuals is italicized throughout the policy.
Abstract: This local coverage determination (LCD) specifies the indications and limitations for incision and drainage services. Incision and drainage is a covered procedure for treating abscesses. Incision and drainage of non-abscess fluid collections is covered when medically necessary due to pain or inflammation.
Therefore, it would be appropriate to bill these more specific incision and drainage codes. For example: an abscess of the eyelid should be billed with procedure code 67700 (Blepharotomy, drainage of abscess, eyelid); a perirectal abscess should be billed with procedure code 46040 (Incision and drainage of ischiorectal and/or perirectal abscess); an abscess of the finger should be billed with procedure codes 26010-26011 (Drainage of finger abscess).
If frequent incision and drainage is required, the medical record must reflect the reason for persistent/recurrent abscess formation, as well as any measures taken to prevent reoccurrence. For example, for repeated incision and drainage of an abscessed paronychia, the medical record should document any additional measures taken to prevent reoccurrence and/or the reason for not performing more definitive treatment (e.g., the patient refuses and/or is not a candidate for permanent, partial or complete nail and nail matrix removal).
The following ICD-10-CM codes support medical necessity and provide coverage for CPT codes: 10060 and 10061.
Title XVIII of the Social Security Act, Section 1862 (a) (7). This section excludes routine physical examinations.
The use of incision and drainage of an abscess of the skin, subcutaneous and/or accessory structures will be considered to be medically reasonable and necessary for the treatment of a symptomatic abscess (e.g. inflamed, painful, tender) involving these structures. This includes the incision and drainage of the following types of abscess:
It would not generally be expected to see incision and drainage of an abscess of the skin, subcutaneous and/or accessory structures to be repeated frequently and/or multiple times. If frequent repeated incision and drainage is required, the medical record must reflect the reason for persistent/recurrent abscess formation, as well as any measures taken to prevent reoccurrence.
You also need to know the location because if the abscess is deep, code choice is based on the location of the abscess and is not dependent simply on single versus multiple, and simple versus complicated. Appearance and signs and symptoms can assist with determining simple versus complex.
An incision must be performed and documented to bill for this procedure. If the provider uses a needle to puncture the abscess, and lets it drain, it is not appropriate to use the incision and drainage codes. This procedure would be included in the evaluation and management of the patient for the day and not separately reported.