Podiatry Coding & Billing Alert

Question: The podiatrist removed part of a single nail plate using simple avulsion techniques to treat an ingrown toenail where the lateral edge of the nail had grown under the tissue on the sides of the nail, resulting in inflammation. Which procedure code should I report?

South Dakota Subscriber

Answer: You should report 11730 (Avulsion of nail plate, partial or complete, simple; single). You should report 11730 for either the partial or complete partial or complete removal of one, single nail plate. For the same procedure on each additional nail plate, you would also report add-on code +11732 (Avulsion of nail plate, partial or complete, simple; each additional nail plate (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure)).

You may need to add a modifier from the T1 (Left foot, second digit)-T9 (Right foot, fifth digit) range or TA (Left foot, great toe) to identify the specific foot and toe that the podiatrist treated.

Don’t miss: Code 11730 does not include the removal of the matrix to prevent the nail from regrowing.