Orthopedic Coding Alert
You Be the Coder ~ Don't Forget Ex-Fix Codes
Question: One of our physicians reduced an open tibia fracture, applied an external fixator, and performed irrigation and debridement. The physician said there was no gross contamination, so I don't feel comfortable billing for the debridement. I plan to report 27752, since that is the closest code for the fracture care and fixation application. Is this correct?
New Hampshire Subscriber
Answer: Most insurers will allow you to report 27752 (Closed treatment of tibial shaft fracture [with or without fibular fracture]; with manipulation, with or without skeletal traction) along with the appropriate debridement code from the 11010-11012 series (Debridement including removal of foreign material associated with open fracture[s] and/or dislocation[s]-)
In addition, you can also report 20690 (Application of a uniplane [pins or wires in one plane], unilateral, external fixation system) to reflect the surgeon's work applying the external fixation device to the patient's leg.
Orthopedic Coding Alert
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