Podiatry Coding & Billing Alert

Question: My podiatrist made a long incision from the front of the patient’s lower leg to the forefoot and exposed the diseased tendon, carefully avoiding injury to the nerves. My podiatrist excised the diseased portion. They then exposed the healthy flexor digitorum longus (FDL) from the ankle, to deep in the sole of the foot. My podiatrist divided and harvested the healthy tendon. They made a drill hole in the navicular bone. My podiatrist prepared and rerouted the harvested tendon through a drill hole in the navicular bone. They placed the patient’s foot in the correct position and asked them to move their foot to check the correct length and tension of the tendon. My podiatrist then sutured the tendon in place. They controlled any bleeding and closed the wounds. The patient will be in a half-leg walking cast for two to six weeks. Which CPT^® code should I report for this procedure?

Alabama Subscriber

Answer: You should report 27691 (Transfer or transplant of single tendon (with muscle redirection or rerouting); deep (eg, anterior tibial or posterior tibial through interosseous space, flexor digitorum longus, flexor hallucis longus, or peroneal tendon to midfoot or hindfoot)) for this procedure. Code 27691 is the correct code for the transfer of a single, deep tendon.

Don’t miss: You can report add-on code +27692 (Transfer or transplant of single tendon (with muscle redirection or rerouting); each additional tendon (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure)) along with primary code 27690 (Transfer or transplant of single tendon (with muscle redirection or rerouting); superficial (eg, anterior tibial extensors into midfoot)) or 27691 when your podiatrist performs this procedure on additional tendons.

You should list +27692 the number of additional tendons repaired.