Reader Questions:
Use Modifiers to Nail Debridement/Avulsion Coding
Published on Tue Mar 14, 2023
Question: When the provider performs nail debridement or avulsion, how do I code for it? Does it matter if the provider treats fingernails or toenails, from a coding perspective?
Georgia Subscriber
Answer: You’ll choose from the following codes for nail debridement or avulsion, depending on encounter specifics:
- 11720 (Debridement of nail(s) by any method(s) 1 to 5)
- 11721 (… 6 or more)
- 11730 (Avulsion of nail plate, partial or complete, simple; single)
- +11730 (… each additional nail plate (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure))
Modifier alert: Depending on the anatomy of the debridement/ avulsion, use the following modifiers, as appropriate:
- F1 (Left hand, second digit)
- F2 (Left hand, third digit)
- F3 (Left hand, fourth digit)
- F4 (Left hand, fifth digit)
- F5 (Right hand, thumb)
- F6 (Right hand, second digit)
- F7 (Right hand, third digit)
- F8 (Right hand, fourth digit)
- F9 (Right hand, fifth digit)
- FA (Left hand, thumb)
- F1 (Left hand, second digit)
- F2 (Left hand, third digit)
- F3 (Left hand, fourth digit)
- F4 (Left hand, fifth digit)
- F5 (Right hand, thumb)
- F6 (Right hand, second digit)
- F7 (Right hand, third digit)
- F8 (Right hand, fourth digit)
- F9 (Right hand, fifth digit).