Suture Removal

When is suture removal separately payable? Only in two cases: CPT code 15850Removal of sutures under anesthesia (other than local), same surgeon; or 15851 Removal of sutures under anesthesia (other than local), other surgeon.

In all other cases, it is either part of the global surgical fee or-if you were not the surgeon or if the patient is out of the global period-part of the E&M code or Eye Code. Laser suture lysis is considered suture removal. It is inappropriate to code 66250 Revision or repair of operative wound for this service. Finally, for CPT purposes, a suture isn't considered a corneal foreign body, so you can't code it as foreign body removal.