Podiatry Coding & Billing Alert

Question: My podiatrist completed a first metatarsal-cuneiform arthrodesis (lapidus not for bunion correction). He followed this procedure with a naviculo-cuneiform arthrodesis. My podiatrist inserted a screw from the medial cuneiform to the base of the second metatarsal for a Lisfranc arthrodesis. Which code should I report for this service? Should I bill a separate code to cover the Lisfranc portion?

Nevada Subscriber

Answer: No. You would just report code 28730 (Arthrodesis, midtarsal or tarsometatarsal, multiple or transverse) since the code covers all the procedures your podiatrist performed.

A key word with the code descriptor for 28730 is “multiple.” When your podiatrist treats several joints in the same area, this is your best code choice.

Don’t miss: You should also report 28730 just once on your claim, even though your podiatrist fused multiple joints. You do not need to list 28730 more than once or append any modifiers.