Reader Question:
28450 Can Apply, Even Without Manipulation
Published on Mon Sep 24, 2012
Question:
Our physician saw a patient for a non-displaced tarsal bone fracture, which did not require manipulation. He placed a prefabricated short leg, removable cast instead of applying a full cast. Documentation states that the patient shouldn't need additional treatment, but our physician recommended that she see an orthopedist in 2 weeks. Should we consider this encounter a type of fracture care?Nebraska Subscriber
Answer:
Your physician determined that there is a fracture and decided on the appropriate course of treatment, so he met the requirements for reporting the fracture care code. Submit 28450 (
Treatment of tarsal bone fracture [except talus and calcaneus]; without manipulation, each).
Note:
Because your physician won't be providing the associated follow-up fracture care included in the global surgical package, append modifier 54 (
Surgical care only) to indicate you are reporting only the procedure.