Podiatry Coding & Billing Alert

Question: My podiatrist administered high energy sound waves to the sole of the patient’s foot to stimulate healing of the plantar fascia. My podiatrist used ultrasound guidance as a directional aid. He performed the procedure with the patient under regional anesthesia. What code should I report for this procedure?

Florida Subscriber

Answer: You should report 28890 (Extracorporeal shock wave, high energy, performed by a physician or other qualified health care professional, requiring anesthesia other than local, including ultrasound guidance, involving the plantar fascia) for this procedure. You should only report 28890 if the podiatrist performs this procedure under general or regional anesthesia.

Caution: You should not report 28890 in conjunction with 0512T (Extracorporeal shock wave for integumentary wound healing, high energy, including topical application and dressing care; initial wound) or +0513T (… each additional wound (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure)) when the podiatrist treats the same area, according to CPT^®.