Podiatry Coding & Billing Alert

Question: The podiatrist performed an arthrodesis of the interpha­langeal joint of the patient's great toe. Should we report 28755 or 28750?

Oregon Subscriber

Answer: You would report 28755 (Arthrodesis, great toe; interphalangeal joint) for arthrodesis of the interphalangeal joint of the great toe. On the other hand, if the podiatrist performs arthrodesis of the metatarsophalangeal joint of the great toe, then you would report 28750 (Arthrodesis, great toe; metatarsophalangeal joint).

Arthrodesis definition: Arthrodesis is the surgical immobilization of a joint by fusion of the bones.

The goal of a 28755 procedure is to treat pain in patients who suffer from end-stage osteoarthritis of an interphalangeal joint of the great toe. When the podiatrist performs a 28755 service, he surgically immobilizes the interphalangeal joint of the great toe. The interphalangeal joint is a joint between the two phalanges of the great toe.