97597 one unit Two ulcers: first 2cm x 2cm, second 4cm x 4cm both debrided to dermis 97597 one unit Three ulcers: 2cm x 2cm, 3cm x 2cm, 2cm x 2cm all three debrided to dermis 97597 one unit 97598 Add-on code to 97597 To be used if wound over 20 sq. cm
97598 Add-on code to 97597 To be used if wound over 20 sq. cm Debridement of open wound to level of epidermis / dermis each additional 20 square centimeters Used WITH 97957
For example: Bone is debrided from a 4 sq cm heel ulcer and from a 10 sq cm ischial ulcer. This is reported with a single code, 11044.
When it comes to surgical debridement, be sure your diagnosis code is appropriate for the depth to which the debridement was performed. If it is not, this could lead to denial of payment for both the debridement and surgical dressings.
Debridements should be coded with either selective or non-selective CPT codes (97597, 97598, or 97602) unless the medical record supports a surgical debridement has been performed. Dressings applied to the wound are part of the services for CPT codes 97597, 97598 and 97602 and they may not be billed separately.
If an excisional debridement the code would be 0HBMXZZ Excision of right foot skin, external approach. Example: Excisional debridement of skin, subcutaneous tissue, and muscle of buttocks. (Accounting for laterality), 0KBP3ZZ Excision of left hip muscle, percutaneous approach.
1. Active wound care, performed with minimal anesthesia is billed with either CPT code 97597 or 97598. 2. Debridement of a wound, performed before the application of a topical or local anesthesia is billed with CPT codes 11042 – 11047.
When performing debridement of a single wound, report depth using the deepest level of tissue removed. In multiple wounds, sum the surface area of those wounds that are at the same depth, but do not combine sums from different depths.
Code 86.22, Excisional debridement, was defined as the “surgical removal or cutting away of devitalized tissue, necrosis, or slough,” which could be performed in the operating room, emergency room, or at the patient's bedside.
One thing to keep in mind, is the difference between an excisional debridement and a non-excisional debridement. An excisional debridement: Is a surgical procedure that involves an excisional method of removal, or cutting away tissue, necrosis and/or slough. Groups to a surgical MS-DRG.
According to the AMA CPT Manual, debridement of an ulcer that is limited to the skin (epidermis and/or dermis) should correctly be reported with active wound care management codes 97597 and 97698 depending on size, and not the surgical debridement CPT codes 11042-11047.
Types of DebridementSurgical Debridement (Sharp = Selective)Enzymatic Debridement (Selective)Autolytic (Selective)Biological (Selective)Mechanical (Nonselective)Irrigation (Nonselective)
Surgical removal or cutting away of devitalized tissue, necrosis, or slough. down to viable tissue using a blade/scalpel (not scissors), and outside or beyond wound margin.
Many abdominal wounds need some form of debridement prior to, or at the time of, definitive closure. CPT codes 11042–11047 are debridement codes arranged by depth and size of debridement.
CPT codes 11042, 11043, 11044, 11045, 11046, and 11047 are used to report surgical removal (debridement) of devitalized tissue from wounds. Use appropriate modifiers when more than one wound is debrided on the same day.
17250 and 11042 can be billed together when performed on 2 separate wounds.
It is extraordinarily rare that one would debride to a depth of tissue that is deeper than what was exposed prior to debridement. For example, if the deepest depth of an ulcer were dermis, a debridement to the depth of muscle would not be expected. Therefore, it is important that the diagnosis code makes sense based on the CPT code ...
When it comes to surgical debridement, be sure your diagnosis code is appropriate for the depth to which the debridement was performed. If it is not, this could lead to denial of payment for both the debridement and surgical dressings.
When performing debridement of a single wound, report depth using the deepest level of tissue removed. In multiple wounds, sum the surface area of those wounds that are at the same depth, but do not combine sums from different depths. For example: Bone is debrided from a 4 sq cm heel ulcer and from a 10 sq cm ischial ulcer.
Rather, it is removal of devitalized tissue, necrosis, and slough by other methods, including: Examples of non-excisional debridement are pulsed lavage, mechanical lavage, mechanical irrigation, high-pressure irrigation, etc.
For instance, Versajet™ debridement is considered to be nonsurgical, mechanical debridement because it does not involve cutting away or excising devitalized tissue. Likewise, the Arobella Qoustic Wound Therapy System™ uses an ultrasonic assisted curette to debride wounds mechanically. Author. Recent Posts.
CPT codes, descriptions and other data only are copyright 2020 American Medical Association. All Rights Reserved. Applicable FARS/HHSARS apply.
This article clarifies wound care and debridement services provided by a therapist, physician, non-physician practitioner (NPP) or as incident-to services.
Contractors may specify Bill Types to help providers identify those Bill Types typically used to report this service. Absence of a Bill Type does not guarantee that the article does not apply to that Bill Type.
Contractors may specify Revenue Codes to help providers identify those Revenue Codes typically used to report this service. In most instances Revenue Codes are purely advisory. Unless specified in the article, services reported under other Revenue Codes are equally subject to this coverage determination.