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Orthopedic Coding Alert

Reader Question:

Casting and Splinting

Published on Fri Mar 01, 2002

Question: I know casting is included in the fracture repair codes, but what about strapping and splinting? 

Florida Subscriber
Answer: The Global Service Data 2002 guide of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons notes that the global service package includes "application of initial dressing, orthosis, continuous passive motion, splint or cast, including traction, except where specifically excluded from global package (e.g., 15852, 29000-29799)." Thus, application of the initial cast, splint or strap should not be reported in addition to the fracture treatment code.
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