How To Use CPT Code 12032

CPT 12032 is a code used for intermediate repair of wounds on specific body areas, measuring 2.6 cm to 7.5 cm in size. This article will cover the description, procedure, qualifying circumstances, appropriate usage, documentation requirements, billing guidelines, historical information, similar codes, and examples of CPT 12032 procedures.

1. What is CPT 12032?

CPT 12032 is a code used to describe the intermediate repair of wounds on the scalp, axillae, trunk, and/or extremities (excluding hands and feet) that measure between 2.6 cm and 7.5 cm in size. Intermediate repair involves the closure of wounds that require layered suturing of one or more of the deeper layers of subcutaneous tissue and superficial fascia, in addition to the skin closure.

2. 12032 CPT code description

The official description of CPT code 12032 is: “Repair, intermediate, wounds of scalp, axillae, trunk and/or extremities (excluding hands and feet); 2.6 cm to 7.5 cm.”

3. Procedure

1. The patient is brought to the operating room after informed consent is obtained.
2. Preparation and draping of the operative site are done in a sterile manner.
3. Local anesthesia is administered to the patient.
4. The wound is inspected, irrigated with normal saline, and properly debrided.
5. Attention is given to the repair of the wound, with the wound edges brought together to form a linear closure.
6. Inner layers of the skin (subcutaneous, dermis, and/or superficial fascia) are sutured with absorbable sutures.
7. The external layer is sutured in a linear fashion.
8. Dermabond is applied to the wound to seal it.

4. Qualifying circumstances

Patients eligible to receive CPT 12032 services are those with wounds on the scalp, axillae, trunk, and/or extremities (excluding hands and feet) that measure between 2.6 cm and 7.5 cm in size and require intermediate repair. The wounds must involve deeper layers of subcutaneous tissue and superficial fascia, necessitating layered closure. Additionally, patients with heavily contaminated wounds requiring extensive cleaning or removal of particulate matter may also qualify for CPT 12032 services, even if a single-layer closure is performed.

5. When to use CPT code 12032

It is appropriate to bill CPT 12032 when a physician performs an intermediate repair of wounds on the scalp, axillae, trunk, and/or extremities (excluding hands and feet) that measure between 2.6 cm and 7.5 cm in size. The repair must involve layered closure of one or more of the deeper layers of subcutaneous tissue and superficial fascia, in addition to the skin closure. In cases of heavily contaminated wounds requiring extensive cleaning or removal of particulate matter, CPT 12032 may also be billed for single-layer closures.

6. Documentation requirements

To support a claim for CPT 12032, the following information must be documented in the patient’s medical record:

• Location and size of the wound(s)
• Type of repair performed (intermediate)
• Specific layers of tissue involved in the repair
• Details of the wound debridement and cleaning process
• Use of sutures and/or Dermabond in the repair
• Any complications or additional procedures performed during the repair

7. Billing guidelines

When billing for CPT 12032, it is essential to follow the appropriate guidelines and rules to ensure accurate reimbursement. Some tips for billing CPT 12032 include:

• Ensure that the documentation supports the use of CPT 12032, including the size and location of the wound, type of repair, and layers involved.
• When multiple repairs are performed, combine them based on repair class (simple or intermediate) and anatomic site. Add the lengths of the repairs together for one total.
• Use Modifier 51 when reporting dissimilar lacerations in different classifications or groupings. List the more complicated laceration repair as the primary procedure and the less complicated as the secondary procedure.

8. Historical information

CPT 12032 was added to the Current Procedural Terminology system on January 1, 1990. The code was changed on January 1, 2009, with the previous descriptor being “Layer closure of wounds of scalp, axillae, trunk and/or extremities (excluding hands and feet); 2.6 cm to 7.5 cm.”

9. Similar codes to CPT 12032

Five similar codes to CPT 12032 and how they differentiate are:

• CPT 12031: Used for intermediate repair of wounds measuring 2.5 cm or less in the same body areas as CPT 12032.
• CPT 12034: Used for intermediate repair of wounds measuring 7.6 cm to 12.5 cm in the same body areas as CPT 12032.
• CPT 12001: Used for simple repair of wounds measuring 2.5 cm or less on the scalp, neck, axillae, external genitalia, trunk, and/or extremities (including hands and feet).
• CPT 12002: Used for simple repair of wounds measuring 2.6 cm to 7.5 cm on the same body areas as CPT 12001.
• CPT 12011: Used for simple repair of superficial wounds measuring 2.5 cm or less on the face, ears, eyelids, nose, lips, and/or mucous membranes.

10. Examples

Here are 10 detailed examples of CPT 12032 procedures:

1. A patient with a 3.5 cm laceration on the scalp requiring intermediate repair.
2. A patient with a 6.2 cm wound on the trunk that requires layered closure due to the involvement of deeper layers of subcutaneous tissue and superficial fascia.
3. A patient with a 4.8 cm laceration on the axilla requiring intermediate repair and extensive cleaning due to contamination.
4. A patient with a 7.0 cm wound on the forearm that requires intermediate repair with both absorbable sutures and Dermabond.
5. A patient with a 5.5 cm laceration on the thigh requiring intermediate repair and debridement of necrotic tissue.
6. A patient with a 6.5 cm wound on the calf that requires intermediate repair and removal of particulate matter due to contamination.
7. A patient with a 3.0 cm laceration on the upper arm requiring intermediate repair and layered closure of the subcutaneous tissue and superficial fascia.
8. A patient with a 4.2 cm wound on the lower back that requires intermediate repair and extensive cleaning due to the presence of foreign bodies.
9. A patient with a 7.5 cm laceration on the upper leg requiring intermediate repair and suturing of the deeper layers of subcutaneous tissue and superficial fascia.
10. A patient with a 2.6 cm wound on the shoulder that requires intermediate repair due to the involvement of deeper layers of subcutaneous tissue and superficial fascia.