2025 CPT code 10060
Effective Date: N/A Surgery - Surgical Procedures on the Integumentary System Feed
Incision and drainage of a simple or single abscess (e.g., carbuncle, suppurative hidradenitis, cutaneous or subcutaneous abscess, cyst, furuncle, or paronychia).
Modifiers may be applicable in certain circumstances, such as increased procedural services (22), multiple procedures (51), reduced services (52), etc.
Medical necessity for this procedure is established by the presence of a localized infection requiring drainage. Documentation should support the diagnosis of an abscess and the need for surgical intervention.
The physician performs the entire procedure, from prepping and anesthetizing the patient to incising, draining, cleaning, and packing the abscess. They are responsible for determining the appropriate treatment and post-operative care.
In simple words: This procedure involves draining a skin infection like a boil or infected cyst. The doctor numbs the area, makes a small cut to drain the pus, and cleans the wound. Sometimes, they'll put in a temporary dressing to help it drain more.
This code describes a procedure where a physician incises and drains a simple or single abscess located in the cutaneous or subcutaneous tissue.The procedure involves opening the abscess, draining the pus, and cleaning the cavity.The wound may be packed with gauze to facilitate further drainage and healing. Examples of abscesses that may be treated with this code include carbuncles, suppurative hidradenitis, cysts, furuncles, and paronychias.This code does not apply to incision and drainage of pilonidal cysts, hematomas, foreign bodies, or wound infections.
Example 1: A patient presents with a single, subcutaneous abscess on their arm. The physician performs a simple incision and drainage under local anesthesia., A patient has a carbuncle on their neck.The physician incises and drains the carbuncle, packing the wound with gauze., A patient with diabetes develops a paronychia (infection around the fingernail). The physician performs an I&D to drain the infection.
Documentation should include the location, size, and type of abscess, the method of anesthesia, the procedure performed, and any packing placed in the wound. Post-operative instructions and any prescribed medications should also be documented. Photographic documentation may also be beneficial.
- Revenue Code: P6A
- Specialties:General Surgery, Family Medicine, Emergency Medicine, Dermatology
- Place of Service:Office, Outpatient Hospital, Emergency Room - Hospital, Urgent Care Facility,Inpatient Hospital