A recent article from Hutch News claims that 6.5 million Americans experience the consequences of chronic wounds every day. Wound care services account for a sizable portion of the reimbursement income for hospital facilities and doctors, according to a 2013 study published in the Journal of Hospital Administration.
Chronic disorders like diabetes and obesity, which significantly increase the risk of skin damage, are typically treated in the majority of patients who have chronic wounds. The term “wound care” refers to both the treatment of wounds and their evaluation and management (E/M), according to a provider of medical coding services.
For effective reporting of wound care services, it is essential to have a thorough awareness of skin anatomy, wound care service codes, and documentation standards. So, let’s learn about the common CPT codes used in wound care management.
List of the all CPT codes of Wound Care
Wounds that don’t include subcutaneous tissue
97597: Open wound debridement (e.g., high-pressure waterjet with or without suction, sharp selective debridement with scissors, scalpels, and forceps), including topical applications, wound assessment, use of a whirlpool, when performed, and instructions for ongoing care, per session, total wound(s) surface area; first 20 sq cm or less
+97598: Each extra 20 square centimeters, or portions thereof (these should be listed separately in addition to the original procedure’s code)
Active Wound Care Management CPT Codes
29580–29584: Application of Strapping Under Lower Extremity—Any Age
This group of codes covers the use of multiple-layer compression bandaging systems for the treatment of venous stasis ulcers. The types and intricacy of the bandaging systems utilized are used to differentiate between the codes.
97598-97602: The Active Wound Care Management category
These codes represent a variety of debridement techniques used in the treatment of wounds. They consist of both non-selective (removal of necrotic or devitalized tissue without the use of anesthetic) and selective (removal of particular types of tissue while retaining healthy tissue) debridement.
97605-97607: The Active Wound Care Management category
These codes indicate several NPWT (negative pressure wound therapy) formats. They involve applying NPWT utilizing dispensed medical equipment, durable medical equipment (such as a wound vac), and extra therapy-related supplies.
99071-99091: Under Miscellaneous Medical Services and Under Digitally Stored Information Services/Remote Physiologic Monitoring
This group of codes includes those for procedural services connected to communication and patient management. Although they are not only utilized for wound care, they can be applied to other functions, including checking medical information, coordinating treatment, or giving patient education.
99070-99071: Under Miscellaneous Medical Services
These codes include the tools and components used in wound care, such as bandages, dressings, and topical treatments. They can be used to differentiate the direct cost of these materials from the operation or service rendered when reporting costs.
36465–36468: During Telangiectasia and Incompetent Vein Sclerotherapy
These codes denote the installation or removal of non-tunneled and tunneled central venous access devices (CVADs), which are used to provide fluids or drugs to treat wounds or other medical ailments.
36470–36471:During Telangiectasia and Incompetent Vein Sclerotherapy
These codes cover the installation or replacement of peripheral venous access devices (PVADs), which are used for short-term intravenous therapy, including treatments for wounds.
36475–36479: Endovascular Ablation Therapy for Incompetent Extremity Veins The installation or replacement of implanted ports used for long-term venous access to treat wounds or other medical disorders is covered by this range of codes.
97032–97036: Substantially Present Modalities of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation
These codes represent a range of therapeutic exercise techniques used in wound care. They can be used to speed up wound healing and enhance function. Examples include manual therapy methods, electrical stimulation, ultrasound, and mechanical traction.
97039: Substantially Present Modalities of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation
These codes signify general physical medicine and rehabilitation services, which could include wound care therapies or modalities that lack specific CPT codes. They’re used to report services that don’t fall under any other specified codes.
15220-15241:Tissue-cultured autografts
This range of codes applies to the treatment of complex wound defects, such as the closure of wounds with significant tissue loss or those requiring grafts, flaps, or other advanced closure methods.
29540-29581:Strapping Under Lower Extremity—Any Age
This group of codes covers the use of compression bandaging or wrapping to treat venous stasis ulcers and other chronic lesions. The complexity and type of compression used are the factors that distinguish the codes.
20520-20551:General Musculoskeletal System Introduction or Removal
These codes deal with the injection and aspiration of soft tissue, joints, and bursas, which may be required for specific wound-care operations like intra-articular injections or fluid aspiration from an infected wound.
17000-17111: Under Procedures for Destruction of Benign or Premalignant Integumentary Lesions
These codes stand for the removal of benign tumors or premalignant lesions, which may be important for treatments like removing suspicious or slow-healing lesions close to wounds in wound care.
27506-27509: Femur (Thigh Region) with Knee Joint Fracture and/or Dislocation Procedures
This range addresses whether to treat tibial shaft fractures openly or in a closed manner, which may be important for managing fractures connected to open lesions in the treatment of wounds.
Conclusion
One of the most important components of hospital revenue management is accurate wound care coding and billing. Knowledge of current coding standards, skill, and attention to detail are necessary. Healthcare practitioners that require wound care coding services can rely on RCM Matter, a top-notch coding and billing service provider.
With our comprehensive knowledge of wound care coding, we provide precise, dependable, and effective coding and billing services that can aid healthcare providers in maximizing their revenue cycle. When medical professionals work with Us, they can focus on giving excellent care to their patients while we take care of the challenging coding and billing tasks.