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Orthopedic Coding Alert

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Hunt Down Styloid Codes

Published on Tue Mar 18, 2008

Question: Which CPT and ICD-9 codes should I use for a closed ulnar styloid fracture? New York Subscriber Answer: For the diagnosis, you should report 813.43 (Fracture of radius and ulna; lower end, closed; distal end of ulna [alone]). Helpful: ICD-9 lists "styloid process" under this code, indicating this is the proper code. Because the orthopedist performed a closed treatment, you should report 25650 (Closed treatment of ulnar styloid fracture). Don't get confused: If the surgeon instead documented a closed ulnar shaft (not styloid) fracture (813.22, Fracture of radius and ulna; shaft closed; ulna [alone]), you would report either 25530 (Closed treatment of ulnar shaft fracture; without manipulation) or 25535 (- with manipulation), depending on whether the surgeon performed manipulation.
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