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    v1.0.30
    OpenPayerBilling CodesDebridement Procedures on the SkinCPT cpt-11010-debridement-open-fracture-dislocation
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    CPT 11010: Debridement for Open Fracture or Dislocation

    Medicare pays $484 on average nationally for this procedure.

    CPT code 11010 describes surgical removal of necrotic tissue and all foreign material from the skin and subcutaneous tissues in and around an open fracture or dislocation; this represents a wound debridement procedure typically performed in an operating room or emergency surgical setting and is categorized as a surgical soft tissue debridement service for open traumatic wounds.

    For related coverage guidance, see recent payer policy updates: Mohs Micrographic Surgery, Mohs Micrographic Surgery, Mohs Micrographic Surgery.

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    Clinical & Coding Specifications

    Clinical Context

    A 34-year-old male presents to the emergency department after a high-energy motor vehicle collision with an open tibial fracture. On arrival he is assessed by trauma and orthopedic teams, receives tetanus prophylaxis and IV antibiotics, and undergoes wound irrigation and debridement in the operating room under regional or general anesthesia. The procedure includes careful removal of necrotic skin and subcutaneous tissue and extraction of visible foreign material (dirt, gravel) from the wound and the soft tissues adjacent to the fracture site. The clinical workflow includes preoperative assessment and consent, surgical debridement documented with extent and depth of necrosis removed, intraoperative findings (amount of foreign material, contamination), photographic or operative note documentation of tissue removed, culture collection if indicated, temporary fracture stabilization (external fixation) as needed, and postoperative wound care with plans for repeat debridement or definitive fixation. The typical site of service is the operating room for urgent/emergent orthopedic surgery; similar debridement in minor contamination cases may occur in the emergency department or procedure room. Patient disposition may include inpatient admission for antibiotics and staged orthopedic management or discharge with close outpatient follow-up if contamination and soft-tissue injury are limited.

    Related CPT Codes

    CPT CodeDescriptionRelationship to This Procedure
    11011Debridement including removal of foreign material from skin, subcutaneous tissue, muscle and/or fascia for open fracture or dislocation; first 20 square centimeters or lessOften billed when debridement extends into deeper layers (muscle/fascia) beyond the skin/subcutaneous tissues covered by 11010 or when multiple tissue layers are debrided.
    11012Debridement including removal of foreign material from skin, subcutaneous tissue, muscle and/or fascia for open fracture or dislocation; each additional 20 square centimeters, or part thereofUsed in conjunction with 11011 when larger surface area debridement is required.
    11042Debridement, subcutaneous tissue (includes epidermis and dermis, if performed); first 20 sq cm or lessAlternative code for debridement of subcutaneous tissue in non–open-fracture wounds or when coding conventions require selection of depth-based codes rather than open-fracture specific codes.
    11044Debridement, muscle and/or fascia (includes epidermis, dermis, and subcutaneous tissue, if performed); first 20 sq cm or lessUsed when debridement includes muscle or fascial layers in the same anatomic region as open fracture management.
    20690Insertion of external fixation (separate procedure)Often performed in the same operative session to stabilize an open fracture after debridement; may be reported separately if not included/bundled per payer rules.

    Related Modifiers

    9 rows

    ModifierDescriptionWhen to Use
    22Modifier –22 (Increased Procedural Services) is used when a reported procedure is substantially more extensive than normally required. The CPT Manual and CMS state it may be appended only when the…- When to use: Append modifier -22 to a procedural CPT code when the service performed is substantially more extensive than the usual service described by that code — i.e., the procedure required…
    25CPT modifier 25 indicates that on the same day as another procedure or service, the same physician or other qualified health care professional provided a significant, separately identifiable…- When to apply: Use modifier 25 only on an E/M code to indicate the same provider delivered a significant, separately identifiable E/M service on the same day as another procedure or service — i.e.,…
    52Modifier ‑52 (Reduced Services) indicates that a service or procedure was partially reduced or omitted at the provider’s discretion, allowing reporting of the basic procedure number with a qualifier…- Use modifier -52 when a physician or qualified health professional electively reduces or omits part of a procedure or service (for example, performing fewer required views or omitting a portion of…
    53Modifier 53 (Discontinued Procedure) signals that a surgical or diagnostic service was begun by the physician but terminated because of extenuating circumstances that threatened the patient’s…- Use modifier -53 when a physician/qualified healthcare professional has started a surgical or diagnostic procedure (e.g., anesthesia administered, incision or scope insertion) and then discontinues…
    59Modifier 59 indicates a distinct procedural service when two procedures that are not normally billed together are clinically and procedurally separate. The CPT definition (as reiterated by CMS)…- Use modifier -59 to report a distinct procedural service when documentation supports that the procedure reported is not normally billed together with another service on the same day because of a…
    62Modifier 62 indicates that two surgeons function as co‑surgeons, each performing distinct parts of the same primary surgical procedure. It is appended to the primary procedure code (and any…- Use modifier -62 when two surgeons act as co‑surgeons (both primary surgeons) on a single definitive primary procedure, each performing distinct parts of the same surgical procedure (append -62 to…
    76Modifier -76, Repeat Procedure or Service by Same Physician or Other Qualified Health Care Professional, is appended when the same provider performs an identical, medically necessary procedure or…- Use modifier -76 when the same physician or other qualified health care professional performs an identical procedure or service a second (or subsequent) time on the same date of service and the…
    78CPT modifier -78 indicates an unplanned, related return to the operating or procedure room by the same provider during the global postoperative period. It is appended when treatment for a…- Use modifier -78 when an unplanned, related complication during the original procedure’s global postoperative period requires the patient to return to a formal operating or procedure room and the…
    80CPT® Modifier 80 (Assistant Surgeon) is appended to a surgical CPT code when a physician (MD or DO) provides full, continuous assistance throughout the operative procedure. It is intended only for…- Use CPT Modifier -80 when a physician (MD or DO) serves as an assistant surgeon and provides full, continuous assistance throughout the entire operative procedure; append -80 to the surgical CPT…

    Related Provider Taxonomies

    8 rows

    Taxonomy Code
    207T00000X
    163WX0800X
    207L00000X
    207N00000X
    225CX0006X
    335V00000X
    2085N0904X
    282NC2000X

    Related Payer Policy Updates

    Specialty: Dermatology1 / 3

    10 rows

    PolicyPayerEffective Date
    Mohs Micrographic Surgerypremerabluecrossofwashington2027-02-05
    Mohs Micrographic Surgerypremerabluecrossofwashington2027-02-05
    Mohs Micrographic Surgerypremerabluecrossofwashington2027-02-05
    FilsuvezCigna2026-11-01
    Destruction of Pre-Malignant Skin LesionsAnthem2026-10-01
    Onychomycosis diagnostic testing and coverageOscar Health2026-10-01
    Treatment of Capillary Malformations (Port Wine Stains)universityofutahhealthplans2026-09-28
    AnzupgoCigna2026-09-15
    Hyperhidrosispriority_health_medicare2026-09-01
    Zevaskyn Coverage for Recessive Dystrophic Epidermolysis BullosaCigna2026-09-01

    Related Codes

    CPT-11000-SURGICAL-DEBRIDEMENT-SKIN-UP-TO-10-PERCENT-BODY-SURFACE

    CPT 11000: Surgical Debridement of Skin, Up to 10% BSA

    CPT-11001-ADD-ON-SURGICAL-DEBRIDEMENT-UP-TO-10-PERCENT

    CPT 11001: Surgical Debridement, Add-on, Additional Up to 10% Skin

    CPT-11004-PERINEAL-GENITAL-NECROTIC-TISSUE-DEBRIDEMENT

    CPT 11004: Debridement of External Genitalia and Perineum

    CPT-11005-ABDOMINAL-WALL-DEBRIDEMENT-NECROTIC-TISSUE-EVALUATION

    CPT 11005: Abdominal Wall Debridement of Necrotic Tissue

    CPT-11006-NECROTIZING-SOFT-TISSUE-DEBRIDEMENT-GENITALIA-PERINEUM

    CPT 11006: Debridement of Necrotic Tissue, Genitalia/Perineum/Abdominal Wall

    CPT-11008-ABDOMINAL-WALL-PROSTHETIC-MESH-REMOVAL-INFECTION

    CPT 11008: Removal of Prosthetic Material or Mesh from Abdominal Wall

    CPT-11011-DEBRIDEMENT-OPEN-FRACTURE-DISLOCATION-DEEP-TISSUES

    CPT 11011: Debridement for Open Fracture or Dislocation

    CPT-11012-DEBRIDEMENT-OPEN-FRACTURE-DISLOCATION-DEEP-TISSUE

    CPT 11012: Debridement for Open Fracture Wound

    CPT-11042-SURGICAL-DEBRIDEMENT-SKIN-SUBCUTANEOUS

    CPT 11042: Surgical Debridement of Skin and Subcutaneous Tissue, Up to 20 cm2

    CPT-11043-SURGICAL-DEBRIDEMENT-MUSCLE-FASCIA-20CM2-OR-LESS

    CPT 11043: Surgical Debridement of Muscle and/or Fascia, ≤20 cm2

    Showing 1–10 of 14

    Frequently Asked Questions

    References

    1. 1.CPT® Codes and Descriptions. AAPC. Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.Maintains the CPT code set's official descriptions and guidelines, licensed from the American Medical Association, used as the definitional source for CPT codes on this page.
    2. 2.HCPCS Quarterly Update. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.CMS's quarterly release of HCPCS Level II codes and short/long descriptors, the source for HCPCS code definitions and update history.
    3. 3.ICD-10-CM Full Code List. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.CMS's complete ICD-10-CM diagnosis code list, used to cross-reference diagnosis codes associated with this procedure or service.
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