Author Topic: Hematoma of laceration  (Read 2272 times)

coder1013

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Hematoma of laceration
« on: June 27, 2016, 10:53:44 PM »
Patient has laceration of left lower leg from a saw accident, that was repaired a week ago. Returns to the ED with a hematoma to the lower part of the laceration. Would I report it as T79.8XXA?

Michele

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Re: Hematoma of laceration
« Reply #1 on: June 28, 2016, 03:59:58 PM »
Is this by any chance for a homework assignment?  I don't mind helping but I don't want to give advice on a real situation with the info below.  It would be irresponsible of me to code based on that information.  So if this is a hypothetical situation, wouldn't you use S80.12X*  (A,D or S) as the primary diagnosis and maybe the T79.8XXA secondary?  I'm not a certified coder but the S80.12X* code seems more specific to your situation described.  But again, this is hypothetical based on the little info provided.  If this were a real situation I would need access to the patient's chart to be able to answer.
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kristin

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Re: Hematoma of laceration
« Reply #2 on: June 29, 2016, 12:31:50 AM »
To add, most wound repair codes carry a 10 day global period, so if the original repair of the laceration was billed with a code that has a 10 day global period, a return visit 7 days later for a hematoma at the repair site would be considered a complication, and would not be billable to most insurances. That said, I agree with Michele...I would look at the S80.12X* codes first, based on the limited info you have provided.

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Re: Hematoma of laceration
« Reply #2 on: June 29, 2016, 12:31:50 AM »