If you’re like many physicians, the CPT codes because that incision and drainage space something that a mystery. End the years, countless physicians ” not simply hospitalists “have called me the they have a daunting time navigating the CPT codes because that these procedures.

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When deciding ~ above which codes to use through incision and drainage procedures, it’s beneficial to ask three questions: What will certainly the topic of scratch be? will you do one or an ext incisions? Is the procedure an easy or complex?

For much more on coding in hospital medicine, check out “Still report consult codes” (December 2018) and an ext here.


Abscesses, cysts and also moreHow girlfriend answer the over questions will recognize the correct password to report incision and drainage services. Here’s a testimonial of the major categories of CPT codes because that this kind of procedure:

Abscesses. The very first code in the CPT collection for incision and also drainage, CPT 10060-10061, defines the procedure as “incision and drainage that abscess (carbuncle, suppurative hidradenitis, cutaneous or subcutaneous abscess, cyst, furuncle, or paronychia); straightforward or single and complicated or multiple.”

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Under the an interpretation of CPT 10060-10061, you’ll make an incision in the abscess and permit its materials to drain. If it’s a basic case, you’ll probably leave the incision open to drainpipe on its own. If you require to place a drainpipe or fill to permit for constant drainage, the procedure would certainly be considered complex.

Note that also if the incisions in this procedure room simple, you have the right to list the procedure as complicated if you perform an ext than one incision.

Cysts. The next series of codes because that incision and also drainage steps ” CPT 10080-10081 “refers to “incision and also drainage that pilonidal cyst; an easy or complicated.”

In this procedure, you execute an incision and also remove the cyst v the cystic epithelial lining. In a straightforward case, you permit the wound come heal through normal regional wound care. In complex cases, tissue excision, primary closure and/or Z-plasty may be required.

Hematomas, seromas and fluid collection. If you incise and drain a hematoma, seroma or fluid collection, usage CPT 10140. In this procedure, girlfriend incise the pocket of fluid and also bluntly penetrate it to enable the fluid to evacuate.

You can use this code through or there is no the requirement of packing. The incision can be closed mostly or it is in left to cure without closure.

Complex wounds. for incision and drainage that a facility wound infection, usage CPT 10180. You deserve to remove the sutures/ staples native the wound or make secondary incision to occupational through.

The wound is drained and also any necrotic organization is excised. The wound deserve to be packed open for continuous drainage or closed with a latex drain.

Note that since drain location is one inherent part of this procedure, it is not suitable to report this service separately.

Medical necessityWith every incision and drainage procedures, that is essential to show medical need by selecting the appropriate ICD-9 codes to correlate v the procedure.

When you password these procedures in conjunction v an early stage hospital visit or a succeeding visit, because that example, make sure you change the evaluation and management code v modifier -25 to suggest that you are seeing the patient for multiple ongoing conditions.

And while each of this incision and also drainage codes are separately billable from an important care, remember to subtract any kind of time you invest on these measures from the moment you spend on an important care services.

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Tamra McLain is coding manager for HRA Medical administration Inc. In san Diego. She deserve to be reached by e-mail.