2025 CPT code 11000
Effective Date: N/A Surgery - Surgical Procedures on the Integumentary System Feed
Debridement of extensive eczematous or infected skin; up to 10% of body surface.
Modifiers may be applicable.Modifier 51 is used for multiple procedures. Modifier 59 is used to indicate a distinct procedural service. Modifier 22 may apply in cases where the service provided is substantially more complex than typically required.
Medical necessity for debridement must be established by documenting the presence of non-viable or infected tissue interfering with wound healing and requiring surgical removal.
When the patient is appropriately prepped and anesthetized, the provider cleans the area of infected skin. The provider then performs debridement by cutting away the dead tissue using surgical instruments like a scalpel or scissors. The provider performs debridement until he sees healthy bleeding on the skin edges. The provider then controls bleeding, applies an antibiotic, and dresses the wound.
In simple words: Surgical removal of dead or infected skin up to 10% of body surface.
The provider uses surgical instruments to debride the dead tissue in skin for up to 10 percent of the body surface. When the patient is appropriately prepped and anesthetized, the provider cleans the area of infected skin. The provider then performs debridement by cutting away the dead tissue using surgical instruments like a scalpel or scissors. The provider performs debridement until healthy bleeding on the skin edges is observed. The provider then controls bleeding, applies an antibiotic, and dresses the wound. Use this code for debridement of up to 10 percent of the body surface.
Example 1: A patient presents with a large area of infected eczema on their back, covering approximately 8% of their body surface area. The provider performs surgical debridement to remove the infected tissue., A patient has a deep infected wound on their leg, about 5% of body surface. The provider surgically debrides the wound. , A patient with severe burns has necrotic tissue covering about 9% of the body surface area.Following appropriate preparation and anesthesia, the surgeon debrides the burn wound using surgical instruments like a scalpel and scissors.
Documentation should include the size and location of the wound, the depth of debridement, and the percentage of body surface area involved. Photographs may be helpful. The reason for the debridement (e.g. infection, eczema) should also be documented.
** For removal of devitalized tissue (nonselective debridement) from wound(s), without anesthesia (e.g., wet-to-moist dressings, enzymatic, abrasion, larval therapy), see 97602. This code does not include dermabrasion (see codes 15780-15787) or nail debridement (see 11720-11721), burns (see 16000-16035) and pressure ulcers (see 15920-15999).
- Revenue Code: P6A - MINOR PROCEDURES - SKIN
- Specialties:Dermatology, General Surgery, Plastic Surgery
- Place of Service:Office, Outpatient Hospital, Ambulatory Surgical Center, Inpatient Hospital