Management

Many individuals (and in my experience, most physicians) fear change in the same way that those of us who grew up in the 70s, 80s and even the early 90s feared horror movies. You know what I’m talking about. When they were filled with terrible (although we didn’t know they were terrible) special effects, unpredictable jump scares and music that you just couldn’t shake. . . “One, two, Freddy’s coming for you” (point made).

“I am not sure when I should and can bill for an E/M when seeing patients for wound care. Is it reasonable to bill an E/M code if the patient returns for follow up for their ulcer and it is 100% healed? Occasionally hyperkeratotic tissue is present and sometimes I debride the callus to confirm the ulcer has healed. I always spend time on these visits educating the patient on ulcers and the diabetic foot. Would it be appropriate to code for an E/M at this visit since the vast majority of the time is spent counseling the patient prior to discharging them from care?”