Orthopedic Coding Alert
Walk Straight Coding Line to ID March Fx Dx
Question: Encounter notes indicate that the provider treated a patient with a “march fracture, 2+3 R metatarsal.” It was the initial encounter for this injury. What diagnosis code do these notes indicate, and what’s a march fracture? Massachusetts Subscriber Answer: According to the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI), March fractures are “metatarsal fractures, most commonly second and third metatarsal fractures caused by an overuse injury. The repetitive impact to the metatarsals with weight-bearing exercises cause microfractures, which consolidate to stress fractures.” When you see March fracture on an encounter form, know that the term is synonymous with stress fracture; it’s just more specific to the location of the stress fracture. These injuries occur in the foot, meaning the proper diagnosis code for the patient you describe is M84.374A (Stress fracture, right foot, initial encounter for fracture).
Related Articles
Orthopedic Coding Alert
- CPT® 2022:
Changes Marked by New Add-ons, Revised Arthrodesis Codes
Here’s how 99211 will be slightly different next year, too. The AMA has released its [...] - ICD-10 2022:
Get to Know the New Dx Codes
… and remember that the codes are in effect before 2022. Last month, we previewed [...] - E/M Coding:
Catch Up With Still-Evolving Office/Outpatient E/M Rules
Here’s why you should keep a lookout for more tweaks to rules. Autumn is almost [...] - You Be the Coder:
Multiple Hip Socket Fractures
Question: Encounter notes indicate that after the orthopedist performed a level-four office evaluation and management [...] - Reader Questions:
Answer Anesthesia Question Before Coding This Fix
Question: Encounter notes indicate that the provider performed closed treatment of the proximal tibiofibular joint. [...] - Reader Questions:
Observe These Rules When Reporting Z03-Z05
Question: Should we report the observation diagnosis codes (Z03-Z05) as primary diagnoses or secondary? Or [...] - Reader Questions:
Walk Straight Coding Line to ID March Fx Dx
Question: Encounter notes indicate that the provider treated a patient with a “march fracture, 2+3 [...]
