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Orthopedic Coding Alert

Reader Question:

Excision of Heterotopic Calcification

Published on Thu Nov 01, 2001

Question: My physician did an excision of heterotopic calcification and removal foreign body, left foot, plantar aspect. I know the code for foreign body is 28192, but what is the code for the excision?

Massachusetts Subscriber
Answer: From what you describe, it sounds like the heterotopic calcification may have resulted from the foreign body. Abnormal deposition of calcium in the soft tissue can be a late effect of trauma. Removing both the foreign body and calcification would make this a "complicated" procedure, so the proper code is 28193 (removal of foreign body, foot; complicated).
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