Orthopedic Coding Alert

Clarification:

Shoulder Manipulation

The December 2002 Orthopedic Coding Alert reader question "Shoulder Manipulation" advised subscribers to report 23585 (Open treatment of scapular fracture [body, glenoid or acromion] with or without internal fixation]) for scapulothoracic fracture treatment. Leslie A. Follebout, CPC, coding analyst at Peninsula Orthopaedic Associates PA, reminds coders to report this code only if the surgeon performs open fracture treatment. If the orthopedist performs closed scapular fracture treatment, you should report either 23570 (Closed treatment of scapular fracture; without manipulation) or 23575 (Closed treatment of scapular fracture; with manipulation, with or without skeletal traction [with or without shoulder joint involvement]), depending on whether the surgeon performs manipulation during the procedure.

 

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