Forum - Questions & Answers

Oct 1st, 2014 - TerryC 39 

suture removal help

Since there is no "global period" for simple laceration repairs, can a doctor charge an office visit and a copay when the patient comes in for suture removal? Under the codes 12001-12021 it doesn't say anything about "global surgery package". Wheras under codes 11400-11446 lesion removal it states "global surgery package definition"?
ps, this question would be for the same doctor doing the procedure or another doctor. Thanks

Oct 1st, 2014 -

re: suture removal help

12001-12021 is for simple repairs and does have a 10 day global period, whereas codes 11400-11446 require inermediate or complex closure which gives them a 90 day global period.

Oct 1st, 2014 - TerryC 39 

re: suture removal help

I'm sorry however according to my "Optum Current Procedure Coding Expert book" The only codes from the 12001-12021 codes that have FUD ( follow-up-days) are the 12020 & 12021 The other codes have no FUD/Global days. And the 11400-11446 are 10 day FUD. They are stated as such next to the codes.

Oct 7th, 2014 - Jackfraust 69 

re: suture removal help

I just came across this in the AAPC Healthcare Business Monthly Aug 2014

Both CPT® and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services consider suture removal to be part of a minor surgical procedure’s global package. If the same physician who placed the sutures removes them during the original procedure’s global period, you cannot report the removal separately. If a different physician removes the sutures, the removal becomes part of any evaluation and management (E/M) service reported.



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