Coding Challenge: Hand Injury in Urgent Care

Determine the correct evaluation and management (E/M) service code for this urgent care encounter:

Presentation

23 y/o male patient with C/C of right-hand injury and wound. He is a new patient. He states he was in a fight 6 days ago and punched another male. He states he has a wound to the right hand, which is now very painful and red. He has also noted greenish drainage. He is right-handed. Prior treatment includes bacitracin and ice; he has taken Ibuprofen for the pain, but says it does not help.  

Past Medical History

None

Current Medications

OTC Ibuprofen

OTC Bacitracin

Drug Allergies

NKDA

OBJECTIVE

BP 116/82

HR 88Reg

RR 14

SPO2 99%

Temp 98.2°F

General: A&OX3, NAD, does not appear ill

HEENT: normocephalic, atraumatic, PERRLA

Resp: CTAB

Heart: RRR without murmur

Extremities: Right hand has a 2 cm laceration overlying the third MCP joint with surrounding erythema 4 cm X 5 cm. No obvious drainage currently. Very limited ROM due to pain. Good sensation and capillary refill distally.

3-view radiographs were taken of the right hand. I personally viewed the radiographs and found no acute fracture or dislocation. 

I contacted and discussed the management with Dr. “Ortho” (external provider). She agrees with the high risk of complications and will see him at her office in 30 minutes.

I applied a nonadherent dressing with Coban to the wound. 

ASSESSMENT

Right hand injury

Cellulitis right hand

PLAN

After discussion with Dr. “Ortho,” patient’s brother will take him to the orthopedics office now. Referral has been placed.

Orders Placed in the Encounter

3-view radiographs of the right hand

Facility-Administered Encounter Medications

None

Medications Prescribed During the Encounter

None

Let’s consider this patient encounter using this simplified Elements of Medical Decision Making table to find the appropriate LOS (level of service):1

MDM LevelaProblems AddressedComplexity of DataRisk of ComplicationsE/M Service
Codes
Level 2:
Straightforward
Minor/self-limitedMinimal/noneMinimal risk99202
99212
Level 3: Low• 1 stable chronic illness
• 1 acute, uncomplicated illness
• 1 acute, uncomplicated injury
At least 1 of these:
• 2 data sources (eg, ordering or
reviewing tests)
• Independent historian
OTC medication
management
99203
99213
Level 4: Moderate• 1 or more chronic illnesses
with exacerbation
• 2 stable chronic illnesses
• 1 undiagnosed new problem
• 1 acute illness with systemic
symptoms
At least 1 of these:
• 3 data sources (eg, ordering
or reviewing tests); can include
independent historian
• Independent interpretation of
test results
• Discussion of management or
test interpretation
• Prescription drug
management
• Significant social
determinants of health
99204
99214
Level 5: High• Severe illness with
exacerbation
• Threat to life or bodily function
At least 2 of these:
• 3 data sources (eg, ordering
or reviewing tests); can include
independent historian
• Independent interpretation of
test results
• Discussion of management or
test interpretation
Severe without
emergent treatment
99205
99215
aLevel is based on 2 out of 3 elements of medical decision making.
Abbreviations: E/M, evaluation and management; MDM, medical decision making; OTC, over the counter.

Number and Complexity of Problems Addressed

Patient chief complaint is a right-hand injury/wound with a probable infection. This would meet the criteria of “acute, complicated injury” due to infection, which is Moderate, Level 4.

Amount and/or Complexity of Data to be Reviewed and Analyzed

X-ray of the right hand was performed in the clinic; however, we cannot use this towards this category because it is a separately reported service. The clinician did call an external provider, Dr. “Ortho,” to discuss the management of this patient. This meets the criteria for the Moderate, Level 4.

Risk of Complications and/or Morbidity or Mortality of Patient Management

The patient has a moderate-high risk of complications/morbidity from this injury. An urgent referral was placed to an orthopedic provider. This would meet the criteria for Moderate, Level 4 risk.

Considerations

Low, Level 3 includes acute, uncomplicated injury; routine contusions, bursitis, strains, and sprains would be considered uncomplicated. Moderate, Level 4, is an acute, complicated injury; examples of complicated injuries include (but are not limited to) infected wounds, dislocations with signs of nerve impingement, head injury in patients aged >65 years, multiple injuries, and an extensive injury with multiple treatment options.

2 of the 3 Elements of Medical Decision Making must be met when choosing the level of service. This encounter met Level 4 criteria in all 3 of the categories, so the correct E/M code is 99204.

1American Medical Association. CPT® evaluation and management (E/M) office or other outpatient (99202-99215) and prolonged services (99354, 99355, 99356, 99417) code and guideline changes. Accessed September 10, 2022. Available at: https://www.ama-assn.org/system/files/2019-06/cpt-office-prolonged-svs-codechanges.pdf

For an in-depth review of this topic, access the full course.

Interested in more Urgent Care content?

Submit your email below to get a free issue and to take advantage of free practice-improving updates for general urgent care practices, tips for reading EKGs, and treating lacerations!
 

Last Updated on February 20, 2023

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

%d bloggers like this: