Orthopedic Coding Alert

Reader Question:

Closed Reduction for Multiple Fracture

Question: The physician performed a closed reduction of a fracture of both bones and a percutaneous pinning of a supracondylar fracture (same arm). He had to reduce the bottom bone fracture and apply the cast while he fixed the elbow. After he finished pinning the elbow, he removed the cast and then re-reduced the fracture of both bones. What CPT codes and modifiers should I use to describe these multiple procedures?

Nebraska Subscriber    
Answer: Assuming that you are talking about fractures of both bones of the forearm and that your physician had to re-reduce the forearm fracture due to loss of reduction, the code for closed reduction of the radial and ulnar shafts is 25565 (closed treatment of radial and ulnar shaft fractures; with manipulation) Percutaneous pinning of a supracondylar fracture of the humerus is reported with 24538 (percutaneous skeletal fixation of supracondylar or transcondylar humeral fracture, with or without intercondylar extension). List the procedure with the higher relative value first and then append modifier -59 (distinct procedural service) to the lesser-valued procedure.  For the repeat closed reduction of the both bones forearm fracture, report 25565 again with modifier -76 (repeat procedure by same physician).
You’ve reached your limit of free articles. Already a subscriber? Log in.
Not a subscriber? Subscribe today to continue reading this article. Plus, you’ll get:
  • Simple explanations of current healthcare regulations and payer programs
  • Real-world reporting scenarios solved by our expert coders
  • Industry news, such as MAC and RAC activities, the OIG Work Plan, and CERT reports
  • Instant access to every article ever published in Revenue Cycle Insider
  • 6 annual AAPC-approved CEUs
  • The latest updates for CPT®, ICD-10-CM, HCPCS Level II, NCCI edits, modifiers, compliance, technology, practice management, and more

Other Articles in this issue of

Orthopedic Coding Alert

View All