2025 CPT code 10120
(Active) Effective Date: N/A Surgery - Surgical Procedures on the Integumentary System Feed
Incision and removal of foreign body, subcutaneous tissues; simple
Modifiers may be applicable. Common modifiers include 22 (Increased Procedural Services), 51 (Multiple Procedures), etc. as supported by the documentation.
Medical necessity is established by the presence of a foreign body in the subcutaneous tissue causing discomfort, pain, or risk of infection.
The physician is responsible for preparing and anesthetizing the patient, using appropriate instruments to remove the foreign body, incising the skin, removing the foreign body with forceps, closing the incision, and cleaning and dressing the wound.
In simple words: Removal of a foreign object like a splinter or glass from just under the skin.
The provider removes a foreign body, such as a thorn, piece of wood, sliver of glass, or fishhook, from the subcutaneous tissue (the lower layer of skin).This is a simple procedure that does not involve extensive dissection.The provider incises the skin around the foreign body to expose it and then removes it with forceps. The incision is then closed, and the wound is cleaned and dressed.
Example 1: A patient presents with a splinter embedded in their finger. The physician uses a simple incision to remove the splinter., A child has a small piece of glass stuck in their foot. The physician removes the glass with forceps after making a small incision., A patient has a thorn embedded in their hand.The physician performs a simple incision and removal.
Documentation should support the simple nature of the procedure, noting the location of the foreign body, the method of removal, and the closure of the wound.If imaging guidance or more complex closure techniques are used, the documentation must reflect this and a different code may be more appropriate.
- Revenue Code: P6A - MINOR PROCEDURES - SKIN
- Specialties:General Surgery, Family Medicine, Emergency Medicine, Dermatology
- Place of Service:Office, Urgent Care Facility, Emergency Room - Hospital, Outpatient Hospital, Inpatient Hospital, etc.