Debridement Coding 2011

 2011 Changes in Debridement Coding

• Surgical wound debridement codes 11040 and 11041 are deleted. Report 97597 and 97598 for debridement of epidermis or dermis
• Debridement is now coded based on depth and diameter
• The debridement codes were modified to provide a method of reporting for the more extensive debridement procedures required for MRSA and other complex wound infections  
• For multiple wounds of the same depth, report the combined sum of the surface area debrided
• For multiple wounds of different depths, report sums of “different depth” debridement procedures
• Use the 59 modifier for different depth wound debridements (11042, 11045 or 11044 at same surgical session)

2011 Debridement Codes

• 11042 – debridement, subcutaneous tissue (includes epidermis and dermis, if performed); first 20 sq cm or less
• 11045 – each additional 20 sq cm, or part thereof (add on code to be listed in addition to code for primary procedure)
• 11043 – debridement, muscle and fascia (includes epidermis and dermis, and subcutaneous tissues, if performed); first 20 sq cm or less
• 11046 – each additional 20 sq cm, or part thereof (add on code to be listed in addition to code for primary procedure)
• 11044 – debridement, bone (includes epidermis, dermis, subcutaneous tissue, muscle and/or fascia, if performed); first 20 sq cm or less
• 11047 – each additional 20 sq cm, or part thereof (add on code to be listed in addition to code for primary procedure)