Physicians place suture after major or minor surgery to help in holding body tissues together after surgery. The material of suture can vary based on skin layer. Suture material can be absorbable for deeper layer ( vicryl, dexon, monocryl) and non-absorbable for (nylon, prolene or polyester) superficial layer. Absorbable suture gets absorbed to skin gradually instead non-absorbable suture should be removed manually.
We know there are CPT codes available for surgery. The same way there are CPT codes for suture removal as well. But it is slightly tricky when to use, when not to use and which code to use based on global period of a surgery.
Global period: – The days in global period can vary for minor and major surgeries. A global period counts 90 days for a major surgery starting from 1 day prior to surgery through 90 postoperative days without any extra charges. On the other hand, minor surgery global period is 0 day or 10 days postoperative period.
We will try to learn all about suture removal CPT coding in this topic.
Below are the codes to be considered while coding suture removal CPT.
CPT Code | Description |
15850 | Suture removal by same surgeon |
15851 | Suture removal by other surgeon |
S0630 | Suture removal by other surgeon |
46754 | Removal of suture (thiersch wire or suture) from anal canal |
99211 | Suture removal done by nurse |
11971 | Removal of tissue expander |
We will see few examples.
20 year old Jackson is in the office for suture removal for right 5th finger laceration. It was cut with metal pipes and 4 sutures were placed in ER last week. Suture was removed by nurse and patient sent back home.
Coding for this case would be:
99211 – Z48.02 (suture removal)
Note: Coded 99211 as the suture was removed by nurse and the suture is placed at a different facility.
Christina is a 35 year old female who has come to a clinic for suture removal after incision and drainage of her paronychia on 4th right finger. Today is 3rd day after the procedure. There are no signs of infection. The sutures were removed by physician.
Coding for this case would be:
99024 – Z48.02 (suture removal)
Note: Previously billed CPT was 10060 which has 10 days global period. As sutures are removed within global period, it is included in the global package. Hence we used no fee CPT 99024.
Medicare Part A & B called as Original Medicare. Which covers Hospital, physician visits and…
Can an individual be Eligible for both Medicare and Medicaid insurance? Yes, individual are eligible…
Revenue Cycle Management also known as RCM is the process from patient scheduling an appointment…
MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) is used in radiology to find out any abnormalities inside the…
CPT 99213 is an evaluation and management code of an established patient. It is one…
In this article will learn about CPT code for Urinalysis and its guidelines along with…