Podiatry Coding & Billing Alert
Include 2 Codes on This Fracture Claim
Question: My podiatrist fixed a fracture of the weight-bearing articular portion of the patient’s distal tibia by adjusting the alignment nonsurgically using skeletal traction and manipulation. The fracture was unstable and required manipulation for alignment. My podiatrist used an external fixator to realign the fracture. The external fixator spanned the ankle joint and incorporated the foot. There was extensive fracture blistering present, which is why he chose to use the fixator. Should I just report one code for this procedure or multiple codes? Nevada Subscriber Answer: In your case, you can report two codes on your claim. First, you should report code 27825 (Closed treatment of fracture of weight bearing articular portion of distal tibia (eg, pilon or tibial plafond), with or without anesthesia; with skeletal traction and/or requiring manipulation) for the closed treatment of the fracture. Since your podiatrist used an external fixator to realign the fracture, you can also separately report code 20690 (Application of a uniplane (pins or wires in 1 plane), unilateral, external fixation system) in addition to 27825. So, you should report 27825, 20690.
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Include 2 Codes on This Fracture Claim
Question: My podiatrist fixed a fracture of the weight-bearing articular portion of the patient’s distal [...]
