CPT Code for Suture Removal and ICD-10, ICD-9 Codes

Learn ICD 10 and CPT code for suture removal.

Reviewing suture removal CPT Codes, ICD 9, ICD 10 Codes is necessary since each code entails different things. Both CPT and ICD Codes are regularly revised to keep with the latest knowledge and development though there will be no major changes of both codes to make it easier to implement each new version of both codes. 

CPT (Current Procedural Terminology) Codes are codes about diseases, health services, and procedures created by AMA (American Medical Association). 

On the other hand, ICD (International Classification of Diseases) Codes are also codes about diseases, health services, and procedures, but they are created by WHO (World Health Organization). 

Both CPT and ICD codes are created with the purpose of simplifying communication about diseases, diagnostics, health services, and procedures. 

Suture removal is usually a post-operative procedure. Suture removal is a part of a series of procedures under one diagnosis or one health case.

However, there are some cases that suture removal is reimbursed separately. CPT Code for Suture Removal can be quite confusing for the health administration staff, the physician, the patient, and the insurance company. 

Suture Removal CPT Code, ICD-10, ICD-9 Codes

Some of suture removal CPT Codes, ICD 9, ICD 10 Codes can be used for reimbursement, and some cannot. Knowing which codes to use to get reimbursement for suture removal is important.

CPT Code for Suture Removal

Of the suture removal CPT Codes, ICD 9, ICD 10 Codes, let’s discuss about CPT code for suture removal first. 

There are 3 categories of CPT Codes, and each category is divided further into different sections. For suture removal, its code falls under medicine sections in Category I, where the Suture Removal CPT Code is 99024. 

It is the code for post-operative visits that may include dressing change or suture removal. However, this code cannot be used for reimbursement since this code is already included in a series of procedures of a diagnosis. 

The proper use of this code is only internal, never to leave the physician office or the hospital administration. If this code appears in the claim sent to the insurance company or payer, please make sure that the charge for this code is 0. 

CPT Code for Suture Removal during Global Period

If a patient comes for postoperative treatment such as Suture Removal during Global Period of a set of procedures (usually 10 days for minor surgical procedures such as laceration repairs, and 90 days for major surgical procedures), code the visit using CPT Code 99024, and there will be no problem. 

CPT Code for Suture Removal after Global Period

However, questions are often asked about how to code postoperative treatments such as Suture Removal after Global Period? If for some reasons (such as holidays, the doctor or the patient has other pressing things, etc.), the last postoperative visit falls on the day after the global period ends, it is recommended to use another code for this visit. 

In this case, use the appropriate CPT Code for Suture Removal under E&M (Evaluation and Management) in Category I CPT Codes; use the codes for established patient which are 99211 - 99215. 

However, 99211 is a nurse or a medical assistant service. The code cannot be billed for doctor service. Also, to bill 99211, a provider should present (even if the person is only in the office and not seeing the patient) when the nurse or the medical assistant performs the service that may be a wound check, a dressing change, or suture removal.

CPT Code for Suture Removal for different Provider

Another asked question about removal CPT Codes, ICD 9, ICD 10 Codes is about how to code the suture removal if it is a different doctor who removes the sutures. 

For suture removal CPT Codes, Whether the doctor who removes the sutures practices in the same clinic with the Provider who puts the sutures on the patient or the Provider who removes the sutures does not even know the doctor who puts the sutures on the patient (let alone knowing whether the patient is still in Global Period or not), suture removal code listed under Evaluation and Management codes should be used in this case. 

Use one of CPT Code 99201 - 99203 (also parts of Evaluation and Management CPT Codes) if the patient is new to the doctor who only removes the sutures without putting the sutures before, and CPT Code 99211 - 99215 if the patient is not new to the doctor who removes the sutures although it is not the doctor who has put the sutures on the patient.

ICD 10 Codes for Suture Removal

Lastly in suture removal CPT Codes, ICD 9, ICD 10 Codes is reviewing Suture Removal ICD 10 Codes. Suture removal ICD 9 Code V58.32 is similar to suture removal code ICD 10 Code Z48.02. Just like ICD 9 Code V58.32, ICD 10 Code Z48.02 for removal of sutures is a billable code and also includes surgical staple removal. 

The code is listed under "Encounter for Attention to Dressings, Sutures, and Drains (ICD 10 Code Z48.0)", under "Encounter for Other Postprocedural Aftercare (ICD 10 Code Z48)", in "Encounters for Other Specific Health Care (ICD 10 Code Z40-Z53)", in "Factors Influencing Health Status and Contact with Health Services (ICD 10 Code Z00-Z99)". 

ICD 9 Codes for Suture Removal

Next in suture removal CPT Codes, ICD 9, ICD 10 Codes is reviewing Suture Removal ICD 9 Codes. In ICD 9 Codes, suture removal code is V58.32. The code also includes surgical staple removal. It is a billable code. 

The code is listed under "Attention to dressings and sutures (ICD 9 Code V58.3)", under "Encounter for Other and Unspecified Procedures and Aftercare (ICD 9 Code V58)", in "Persons Encountering Health Services for Specific Procedures and Aftercare (ICD 9 Code V50-V59)", as referred in "Supplementary Classification of Factors Influencing Health Status and Contact with Health Services (ICD 9 Code V01 - V91)". 

Unlike suture removal CPT Codes, there is only 1 code for suture removal in each ICD 9 and ICD 10. Both ICD 9 Code V58.32 and ICD 10 Code Z48.02 can be used to get reimbursement in any circumstances regarding removal of sutures. Understand the circumstances first before choosing the appropriate suture removal CPT Codes, ICD 9, ICD 10 Codes.