Billing and Coding: Incision and Drainage (I&D) of Abscess of Skin, Subcutaneous and Accessory Structures

Incision and drainage is covered when medical records document an abscess or fluid collection of the skin/subcutaneous/accessory structures that requires drainage, including operative details and quantity/quality of drained material. Specific CPT codes have allowable ICD-10-CM pairings (e.g., CPT 10060/10061/10160 payable for L02.611, L02.612, L98.8 in podiatry; CPT 10140 payable only with enumerated S- and L- codes), repeated I&Ds at the same anatomic location beyond two times per year are generally not medically necessary (except hidradenitis L73.2), and required documentation (history, exam, test results, pre-op description, operative note, referring NPI) must be maintained.

"Incision and drainage (I&D) is covered when medical record documents an abscess, hematoma, seroma or other collection of the skin/subcutaneous/accessory structures requiring drainage with signs/sym..."