Debridement Prior to Skin Grafting

Question:

I’m taking a patient to the OR for debridement of a dehiscent surgical wound and will skin graft it for closure. I’m looking at getting 11042 (debridement) and the skin graft codes precertified. Is this right?

Answer:

Not exactly.  You’re right about the skin graft code(s).  However, we do not recommend the 11042 – 11047 codes.  These codes are used for wound debridement but only when you are debriding an open wound with no intention of closing it; you expect the wound to heal by secondary intention.  In your example, you will be closing the wound.  Therefore, the more accurate code is a surgical preparation code (15002 – 15005) forexcision(note the term is not debridement) of the open wound to prepare a viable wound surface for grafting.

*This response is based on the best information available as of 11/16/17.