Mrs. Carmichael sees her foot and ankle surgeon with open ulcerated areas on the left lower leg and a separate lesion on the right lower leg. The surgeon documents staphylococcal carbuncles which need debridement. He proceeds to excise the skin, subcutaneous tissue, and muscle of a 4.0 cm × 3.0 cm, or 12 sq. cm, lesion in the right lower leg, and an excision of skin and subcutaneous tissue in the left lower leg of 3.0 cm × 8.0 cm, or 24 sq. cm. Select the appropriate CPT and ICD-10-CM codes.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The correct CPT codes for the procedures described are 11043 for the excision involving skin, subcutaneous tissue, and muscle of the right lower leg lesion, and 11042-59 for the excision of skin and subcutaneous tissue of the left lower leg, with the -59 modifier indicating a distinct procedural service. The additional code 11045 is used for each additional 20 sq. cm, or part thereof, of debridement, which applies to the larger lesion. The ICD-10-CM codes L02.435 (carbuncle of left lower limb) and L02.436 (carbuncle of right lower limb) accurately describe the locations of the carbuncles, and B95.8 specifies the staphylococcal infection.

Mrs Carmichael Sees Her Foot and Ankle Surgeon with Open