Orthopedic Coding Alert

Question: How should I report arthroplasty and flexor tenotomy of the left fourth toe?

New York Subscriber

Answer: Assuming the surgeon performed these on the same patient at the same session, you should report 28285 (Correction, hammertoe [e.g., interphalangeal fusion, partial or total phalangectomy]) and 28232 (Tenotomy, open, tendon flexor; toe, single tendon [separate procedure]).

Watch out: The Correct Coding Initiative bundles extensor tenotomy (28234, Tenotomy, open, extensor, foot or toe, each tendon) into 28285. But it doesn't bundle flexor tenotomy (28232) into 28285. Still, some payers may cover the hammertoe correction only when you report it with 28232.