+ 11046 – each additional 20 sq cm, or part thereof (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure) 11044 – Debridement, bone (includes epidermis, dermis, subcutaneous tissue, muscle and/or fascia, if performed); first 20 sq cm or less
By applying the same concept to the elbow as we do in the shoulder, a limited debridement (29837) occurs in either the anterior or posterior compartment of the elbow, while extensive debridement (29838) occurs in both the anterior and posterior compartments.
The appearance and size of the wound (e.g., down to fresh bleeding tissue, 7 cm x 10 cm, etc.) v. The depth of the debridement (e.g., to skin, fascia, subcutaneous tissue, muscle, or bone) If any of these elements is missing, documentation does not meet the criteria for excisional debridement.
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.
By applying the same concept to the elbow as we do in the shoulder, a limited debridement (29837) occurs in either the anterior or posterior compartment of the elbow, while extensive debridement (29838) occurs in both the anterior and posterior compartments.
Code 29822 covers limited debridement of soft or hard tissue and should be used for limited labral debridement, cuff debridement, or the removal of degenerative cartilage and osteophytes. Code 29823 should be used only for extensive debridement of soft or hard tissue.
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.
Debridement is performed on proliferative cartilage, a degenerative joint, or roughened or frayed articular. cartilage. The physician uses instruments through the arthroscope to cut and remove inflamed and proliferated synovium and to clean and smooth the articular joint surfaces of the elbow.
If there is evidence of synovial proliferation or inflammation indicating disease, the physician uses an instrument to obtain a small piece of synovium for biopsy. In 29830, the physician performs a diagnostic arthroscopy. In 29834, the physician examines all parts of the elbow joint with the arthroscope.
My provider performed a four portal arthroscopic elbow procedure--right elbow extensive arthroscopic debridement and excision of posterolateral synovial plica . This is the clinical description of the procedure (from Medicare GCPI): "The physician performs elbow arthroscopy with the patient in a supine position. General anesthesia is preferred. The physician makes 1 cm portal incisions to insert the arthroscope into the elbow joint space. The five most commonly used portals are the lateral, anterolateral, anteromedial, posterolateral, and straight positions. The physician places the arthroscope into the elbow joint and examines the humeral-ulnar and radial-ulnar joints. The elbow is flexed and extended, and pronated and supinated to allow visualization and examination of all joint spaces and surfaces. If there is evidence of synovial proliferation or inflammation indicating disease, the physician uses an instrument to obtain a small piece of synovium for biopsy. In 29830, the physician performs a diagnostic arthroscopy. In 29834,
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.