Educate the public about the world of individuals living with chronic wounds
During the month of June, we are honoring the 6.7 million people who live every day suffering from chronic wounds that experience delayed healing. Wound Healing Awareness Month recognizes the challenges experienced by these individuals and brings awareness of the support given by wound specialists.
There are many contributing factors why a wound may have complications healing in a timely manner. These include, but are not limited to, diabetes, venous or arterial problems, excessive swelling (edema), unrelieved pressure, and infection. There is a tremendous need for wound care, due to the rapid growth of chronic wound cases that has resulted in more than $50 billion in healthcare costs.
According to the Wound Care Awareness website approximately 30.3 million Americans are living with diabetes, and up to 25% of these people will experience a foot ulcer at some point in their life. With the complications that come with an ulcer that does not heal in a timely manner, there is a high chance it could result in a lower extremity amputation. Amputations increase the mortality rate of the patient, and significantly lower an amputee’s life satisfaction.
Wound care medical coding and billing comes with many challenges compared to some other specialties. Details to consider are the size of the wound, depth, and severity, which all must be properly documented within the patient’s medical record to be able to capture the most accurate ICD-10-CM and CPT codes. Health Information Alliance, Inc., “HIA” is a premier provider for wound care coding for services. HIA has many credential coders that have gained many years of experience in this industry.
The month of Wound Healing Awareness is an opportunity to educate the public about the world of individuals living with chronic wounds that often goes unnoticed, unless you are personally affected or a loved one is.
