Can you bill for dressing change?

Asked by: Prof. Arno Casper V  |  Last update: October 19, 2025
Score: 4.9/5 (20 votes)

Dressing Change If not included in another service, the costs associated with dressing changes may be reported as not separately payable. All topical applications (e.g. medications, ointments, and dressings) are included in the payment for the procedure codes.

Can you bill for a wound dressing change?

Dressings applied to the wound are part of the services for CPT codes 97597, 97598 and 97602 and they may not be billed separately.

Can you bill 99211 for dressing change?

Code 99211 would be appropriate as long as the dressing change wasn't performed as part of burn treatment (because there are other specific CPT codes that should be used for burns) or routine post-procedure care (because some procedures have a global period during which associated care is considered part of the payment ...

Does Medicare cover dressing changes?

Medicare has several criteria for coverage of wounds and dressings. For the program to cover the wound, it must be either a wound treated or caused by a surgical procedure or a wound that needs debridement, which is the removal of unhealthy tissue. Coverage includes both primary and secondary dressings.

What is the ICD-10 code for dressing change?

ICD-10 code Z48. 01 for Encounter for change or removal of surgical wound dressing is a medical classification as listed by WHO under the range - Factors influencing health status and contact with health services .

Series part 4 - How Do You Charge For Just a Wound Care and Dressing Change?

22 related questions found

When to use Z48 00?

Encounter for change or removal of nonsurgical wound dressing. Z48. 00 is a billable/specific ICD-10-CM code that can be used to indicate a diagnosis for reimbursement purposes.

What is the ICD-10 code for activity changing clothes?

ICD-10 code Y93. E for Activities involving personal hygiene and interior property and clothing maintenance is a medical classification as listed by WHO under the range - External causes of morbidity .

Can you charge for a dressing change?

A dressing change may not be billed as either a debridement or other wound care service under any circumstance (e.g., CPT 97597, 97598, 97602).

Who can perform dressing changes?

Many facilities will have a dedicated wound care team. However, in many circumstances, nursing personnel at the facility will still perform dressing changes (e.g., routinely, as needed).

What services can nurses bill for?

What codes can an RN bill for? Insurance reimbursement coding is based on the American Medical Association CPT² coding system. Under that system, the only Evaluation and Management (E/M) code that a registered nurse can bill to is 99211.

What is the CPT code for wound vac dressing change?

Wound VAC: Report code 97606 for replacing the negative pressure wound therapy dressing later in the day in the ICU and append modifier XE, Separate encounter, to distinguish this service from the work performed earlier in the day in the OR.

What is the Hcpcs code for dressing?

Miscellaneous Dressing and Wound Supplies HCPCS Code range A6000-A6208. The HCPCS codes range Miscellaneous Dressing and Wound Supplies A6000-A6208 is a standardized code set necessary for Medicare and other health insurance providers to provide healthcare claims.

What is the CPT code for bedside dressing change?

CPT Code 15852. CPT code 15852 is for a dressing change not related to a burn, used to bill for the service provided by healthcare professionals.

When to use modifier 78?

Modifier 78 is used to report the unplanned return to the operating/procedure room by the same physician following an initial procedure for a related procedure during the postoperative period.

What is the procedure for providing a dressing change?

Follow these steps to remove your dressing:
  1. Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and warm water before and after each dressing change.
  2. Put on a pair of non-sterile gloves.
  3. Carefully remove the tape.
  4. Remove the old dressing. ...
  5. Remove the gauze pads or packing tape from inside your wound.

What are the 5 rules of wound dressing?

These rules can keep you on the road to recovery.
  • Wound Care Rule #1: Keep The Wound Clean. ...
  • Wound Care Rule #2: Use Clean, Appropriate Dressings. ...
  • Wound Care Rule #3: Change Your Dressings Regularly. ...
  • Wound Care Rule #4: Follow Instructions for Antibiotics or Topicals. ...
  • Wound Care Rule #5: Find Wound Care Guidance.

Who can change my dressing?

You no longer have to wait for an appointment at your local surgery . Nurse Agnes will come to you. Nurse Agnes can visit you at home as often as needed to change wound dressings safely and hygienically. We are specialists in wound care and changing dressings.

Can a CNA do a dressing change?

Changing wound dressings: Under a nurse's supervision, CNAs can change dressings on uncomplicated wounds. They're also expected to assess and report any changes in wounds. Checking vital signs: CNAs are able to monitor vital signs like heart rate and blood pressure.

What are the requirements to bill a 99211?

Six keys to coding 99211 visits
  • The patient must be established.
  • The provider-patient encounter must be face-to-face.
  • An E/M service must be provided. ...
  • The service must be separate from other services performed on the same day. ...
  • The presence of a physician is not always required. ...
  • No key components are required.

Can you bill for wound care?

Active wound care procedures are performed to promote healing by removing devitalized or necrotic tissue. Providers bill for these services when they thoroughly need to clean a wound before applying dressing.

Can a nurse practitioner bill 99214?

If the patient is an established patient, you may use 99211 to 99214 depending on the level of care rendered, degree of documentation or the amount of time spent.

What is the diagnosis code for dressing change?

ICD-10 code Z48. 00 for Encounter for change or removal of nonsurgical wound dressing is a medical classification as listed by WHO under the range - Factors influencing health status and contact with health services .

What is the ICD-9 code for dressing?

93.57 ICD-9 Vol 3 Code - Application of other wound dressing.