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Orthopedic Coding Alert

Reader Question:

Do Not Report Casts Independently

Published on Tue Nov 15, 2011

Question: When correcting club feet by releasing the Achilles and then applying the cast do we need a 59 modifier to bill both. Would the casting be considered separate treatment since a cast is part of the treatment not just part of the surgery?New York SubscriberAnswer: You will not append modifier 59 to report the cast application with the release procedure. Cast is a part of the postoperative dressing and care and is always a part of the Global Service Data Package.
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