Debridement Services

Debridement is covered when removal of necrotic, devitalized, or foreign tissue from skin, subcutaneous tissue, fascia, muscle, or bone is clinically necessary to promote healing or prepare for surgery, including chronic or open-wound osteomyelitis. The LCD excludes burn surface debridement, nail debridement, PT/OT-performed debridement (which use different CPT codes), and routine non-selective wound care measures; documentation of tissue presence/absence, wound depth, comorbidity evaluation, and wound-care plan adjustments is required. Frequency is not numerically limited but must be clinically justified and documented; local anesthesia is included in the procedure payment and not separately billable.

"Debridement is covered for any wound requiring removal of deep-seated foreign material, devitalized, necrotic, or nonviable tissue at the level of skin, subcutaneous tissue, fascia, muscle, or bone..."