If a physician removes sutures that he/she placed, and the service has a ten day global period, there is no separate payment for the suture removal. It is part of the global service and payment for the minor procedure.
However, insurance companies will pay for suture removal performed by a physician/clinician who did not place the sutures. For example, a patient has a laceration repaired at the Emergency Department. Instead of returning to the ED, the patient presents to their own physician for suture removal. If the physician sees the patient, bill for an E/M service based on the level of history, exam and MDM documented. In most cases, a low level visit is documented.
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