Forum - Questions & Answers
Coding
What is the appropriate code for removing a splinter from a child's finger.
It was numbed with Emla, then excised skin and removed 1.5cm splinter in pieces.
10120
or 10121
incision and removal of foreign body
10120 and 10121 both require that there is an incision, not just removal. If a splinter or tick is removed with an incision, it is part of the E/M code and there is no separate code.
re: incision and removal of foreign body
[10120 and 10121 both require that there is an incision, not just removal. If a splinter or tick is removed without an incision, it is part of the E/M code and there is no separate code.]