Anesthesia Coding Alert

Change the code, keep the descriptor.

With warmer weather just around the corner, the springtime athletes who have taken it easy during winter will be out in force. Many can find themselves suffering from plantar fasciitis, which is caused by straining the ligament supporting the arch. Repeated strain can cause tiny tears and, in severe cases, lead to surgery.

When your anesthesia provider is present during fasciectomy surgery to correct plantar fasciitis, the current ICD-9 code to report is 728.71 (Plantar fascial fibromatosis).

ICD-10 update: You’ll have a simple diagnosis switch when ICD-10 becomes effective in October. Current code 728.71 will transition to M72.2, with the same descriptor (Plantar fascial fibromatosis).

The surgeon’s notes will designate whether he performed a partial or radical repair. In either case, you’ll report anesthesia code 01470 (Anesthesia for procedures on nerves, muscles, tendons, and fascia of lower leg, ankle, and foot; not otherwise specified).