Debridements

If a physician performs a subcutaneous excisional debridement of a 10cm2 ulcer on the right arm and 15cm2 on left leg, does he or she bill them separately or combined?

11042 (Arm)
11042-59 (Leg)

or

11042 (Arm & Leg)
11045 (Arm & Leg)

re: Debridements

Modifier 59 should be used with both the primary and add-on codes if multiple wounds of differing tissue depth require débridement to indicate the work was performed at different anatomic locations. The depth and size (in sq cm) of each wound must be reported. The size of the débridement is based on the surface area débrided, not necessarily the size of the wound itself.