Orthopedic Coding Alert
1 Code Reports Tib and Fib Treatment
Question: What CPT codes should I report if the surgeon inserts a rod in the tibia for a tib/fib fracture and places a plate for the proximal fibula fracture through a separate incision? Wyoming Subscriber Answer: You should report 27759 (Treatment of tibial shaft fracture [with or without fibular fracture] by intramedullary implant, with or without interlocking screws and/or cerclage) for the tibia treatment. Note: You should not separately report fibula fracture code 27784 (Open treatment of proximal fibula or shaft fracture, includes internal fixation, when performed). "The description -with or without fibular fracture- means any fracture treatment performed on the fibular fracture," according to the AMA's March 2000 CPT Assistant, which explains that you should not report 27784 with 27758 (Open treatment of tibial shaft fracture [with or without fibular fracture] with plate/screws, with or without cerclage).
Orthopedic Coding Alert
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1 Code Reports Tib and Fib Treatment
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