Orthopedic Coding Alert

Tong removal and extracorporeal shock wave become less specific for physician services.

In 2012, when reporting the removal of tongs and extracorporeal shock wave therapy, you needed to document that these services were administered by your physician. Starting Jan. 1, you needn’t necessarily indicate that these services were provided by the physician. The code descriptors are revised to appropriately imply that the service may be rendered by the physician or another qualified professional.

The skinny: The descriptor for code 20665 (Removal of tongs or halo applied by another physician) has been revised to ‘Removal of tongs or halo applied by another individual.’

Similarly, the descriptor of code 28890 (Extracorporeal shock wave, high energy, performed by a physician, requiring anesthesia other than local, including ultrasound guidance, involving the plantar fascia) now reads ‘Extracorporeal shock wave, high energy, performed by a physician or other qualified health care professional, requiring anesthesia other than local, including ultrasound guidance, involving the plantar fascia.

Rationale: "The expansion of the codes to non-physician practitioners will allow coders to report these services for PAs and other NPPS operating within the scope of their licensure," says Heidi Stout, BA, CPC, COSC, PCS, CCS-P, Coder on Call, Inc., Milltown, New Jersey and orthopedic coding division director, The Coding Network, LLC, Beverly Hills, CA.

One more thing: Also, note that 29590 (Denis-Browne splint strapping) has been deleted.