You Be the Coder:
Coding Multiple Rib Fractures
Published on Fri Mar 04, 2022
Question: Encounter notes indicate that the surgeon performed open treatment of multiple rib fractures on a patient: two ribs on the left side, and three ribs on the right side. How should I report this encounter? Montana Subscriber Answer: You might be tempted to report the fracture fixes with bilateral modifiers RT (Right side) and LT (Left side). Don’t do it. Why? [...]