CPT 97602: Nonselective Debridement of Wound, Per Session
Commercial payers pay $126 on average nationally for this procedure.
CPT code 97602 describes a non‑selective debridement session in which the provider removes devitalized tissue from a wound to assess wound depth, reduce infection risk, and promote healing; the service includes wound assessment and patient wound care instruction and is typically provided as part of outpatient wound care or clinic‑based procedures for acute and chronic wounds.
For related coverage guidance, see recent payer policy updates: Home Health, Skilled, and Custodial Care Services (for Idaho Only), Private Duty Nursing Services (for Florida Only), Private Duty Nursing Services.
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National Reimbursement Benchmarks
Commercial rates for CPT 97602 cluster around BUCA’s average commercial benchmark of $126.10, with notable variation among national payers. Blue Cross Blue Shield shows the highest dispersion (P75 $200.80 minus P25 $131.60 = $69.20), indicating broader contracted outcomes, while Aetna exhibits a tighter spread (P75 $83.30 minus P25 $22.40 = $60.90) relative to BCBS. Cigna’s interquartile spread is $60.70 (P75 $105.60 minus P25 $45.30), and UnitedHealth Group’s spread is the narrowest at $31.00 (P75 $90.70 minus P25 $59.70), signaling more concentrated reimbursement levels.
Median and mean contrasts highlight payer positioning around BUCA’s mean: Blue Cross Blue Shield and Aetna have medians above and below BUCA’s $126.10 benchmark respectively, while Cigna and UnitedHealth Group medians sit below BUCA’s mean, reflecting variation in central tendency across payers. P90 values further separate the higher-end ceilings, with BCBS ($236.10) and UnitedHealth Group ($171.80) extending above other payers.