ED Coding and Reimbursement Alert
Separate Ankle From Foot
Question: I received documentation stating:-Patient presented with small needle embedded in ankle. Physician used a C-arm (portable fluoroscopy unit) to help localize the foreign body. Made incision and located foreign body using needles placed in two planes. Grasped foreign body, removed it, irrigated wound and applied dressing.- How should I report this? Answer: The correct code for this procedure is 10121 (Incision and removal of foreign body, subcutaneous tissues; complicated).
Pennsylvania Subscriber
Beware: While 28190 (Removal of foreign body, foot; subcutaneous), 28192 (- deep) or 20103 (Exploration of penetrating wound [separate procedure]; extremity) might seem appropriate initially, remember that CPT does not consider the foot and the ankle to be the same area. In your scenario, the physician performed the procedure on the ankle, and these codes are for foot procedures.
ED Coding and Reimbursement Alert
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