Advanced Search

Orthopedic Coding Alert

Reader Questions:

Know 57/58 Difference for Surgical Return

Published on Sat Mar 27, 2010

Question: A patient presented to the Emergency Room and the surgeon performed closed reduction and manipulation for a trimalleolar ankle fracture. The closed reduction didn't work so he returned to surgery to repair the fracture the next day. How should I code both surgeries? Montana Subscriber Answer: You'll need to code for three services: the initial visit and examination, the first surgery, and the second surgery. If the patient was treated in the Emergency Room,choose from 99283-99285 (Emergency department visit for the evaluation and management of a patient ...). If the patient was admitted to the hospital before the decision for surgery was made, report 99222 (Initial hospital care, per day, for the evaluation and management of a patient ...) instead. Append modifier 57 (Decision for surgery) to the correct E/M code. For the original ankle repair, submit 27818 (Closed treatment of trimalleolar ankle fracture; with manipulation). Include modifier LT [...]
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 your eNewsletter
  • 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
*CEUs available with select eNewsletters.

Other Articles in this issue of

Orthopedic Coding Alert

View All