Podiatry Coding & Billing Alert

Question: I’m new to podiatry coding, and I’m trying to understand the difference between 28800 and 28805. Can you please help me?

New York Subscriber

Answer: Code 28800: If the podiatrist amputates the patient’s foot at the midtarsal, you would report 28800 (Amputation, foot; midtarsal (eg, Chopart type procedure)). When a podiatrist performs a 28800 service, he amputates the foot just in front of the heel and ankle. This amputation is at the midtarsal joints through the talonavicular and calcaneocuboid joints. An example of this is the Chopart type procedure.

Midtarsal joints explained: The midtarsal joints are also known as transverse tarsal joints. They are combined joints of either the talus with the navicular bone or the calcaneum with the cuboid bone.

Code 28805: On the other hand, if the surgeon performs a transmetatarsal foot amputation, then you would report 28805 (Amputation, foot; transmetatarsal), In this procedure, the provider amputates the foot by cutting it across the metatarsal bones. The metatarsals are the five long bones located between the tarsal bones of the foot/ankle and phalanges of the toes.

Coding tip: As you can see, you must always check the medical documentation carefully with amputations so you know exactly what part of the foot the podiatrist amputated.