Do You Use an Osteotomy Code for a Minimally Invasive Procedure?
Question: A patient presented for a minimally invasive osteotomy on the third metatarsal of the right foot. Below is a sample of the operative note: I then made a small nick and spread incision in the dorsal aspect of the third metatarsal. Using a bur, I made a controlled osteotomy. I then manually manipulated the osteotomy until the toe was straight. At this point, the toe was reduced. I fixed the bones in place with screws. Can I report an osteotomy code? Arizona Subscriber Answer: Yes, you can assign an osteotomy code for the procedure, even if the surgical opening is minimal. In the case you’ve presented, 28308 (Osteotomy, with or without lengthening, shortening or angular correction, metatarsal; other than first metatarsal, each) is the appropriate code to report. Regardless of whether the documentation uses “mini-open” or “minimally invasive” to describe the surgical procedure, they still mean that the surgeon performed an open procedure. Modifier: Check with your individual payer to confirm if a laterality modifier, such as RT (Right side), is needed for your claim. Mike Shaughnessy, BA, CPC, Production Editor, AAPC
