How to code correctly for laceration repairs?
Answering a few questions will help you code correctly for laceration repairs (such as staples, sutures, or similar closure materials): Was the repair limited to the epidermis, dermis, and subcutaneous tissue, or did you need to probe more deeply? Use simple repair codes for superficial wounds (epidermis and dermis) that need just a single-layer closure. On the off chance that the provider fixed a deeper layer of subcutaneous tissue or superficial fascia, however, then assign intermediate repair codes. Remember that these codes don't include repairs to muscles. Such cases are generally referred to as surgical specialists. Where on the patient's body was the repair made? The codes inside the simple and intermediate categories are further characterized by the location of the injury. For instance, refer to simple repairs on the scalp, neck, axillae, external genitalia, trunk, and/or extremities, the face, ears, eyelids, nose, lips, and/or mucous membranes. H...