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Pediatric Coding Alert

Reader Question:

Fracture Repair for Dislocated Finger

Published on Sun Jul 01, 2001

Question: My doctor reduced and splinted a dislocated pinky by taping two fingers together. Can I bill a fracture repair code?
Arizona Subscriber   Answer: Yes. Bill 26770 (closed treatment of interphalangeal joint dislocation, single, with manipulation; without anesthesia). Medicare assigns this code an RVU of 5.40 (about $200). You can bill an E/M code as well, if you perform a significant and separately identifiable service also.   Technically, you do not need a separate diagnosis for the E/M code; however, insurance companies prefer it. We recommend linking the sign and symptom diagnosis with the E/M code, and the dislocated finger with the fracture repair code.
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