subject: Debridement Code Or An Active Code? Cpt Comes To Your Rescue [print this page] As you enter 2011, as a dermatology coder, you have a lot of CPT changes to adapt to. So for instance you may be confused about when to select a debridement code and when to go for an active wound code. CPT 2011 comes to your rescue with revised debridement code guidelines that show you how to select between the two code groups.
Depth is the only documentation item you need to figure out the correct code. Active wound care has a 0 day global period and is for active wound care of the skin, dermis or epidermis. For deeper wound care, make use of debridement codes in the proper location.
For instance: Codes 11040 and 11041 have made an exit. The parenthetical note under the codes' deletion says, "For debridement of skin, that is., epidermis and/or dermis only, see 97597, 97598."
The codes are then revised to reflect the change. For example, 11042 removes "Skin, and" and adds after subcutaneous tissue "includes epidermis and dermis, if carried out."
Code 97597's revision involves "mainly rewording to elucidate how active wound care is separate from integumentary wound care.
This time CPT includes guidelines that indicate two requirements for active wound care management. These guidelines train eyes on:
Intent: "Active wound care procedures are carried out to remove devitalized and/or necrotic tissue and promote healing."
For more on this and for all CPT code updates affecting your dermatology practice, sign up for a medical coding guide like Supercoder.
Hint: For deeper wound care, reserve debridement codes
