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Podiatry Coding & Billing Alert

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Does Tendon Injection Preclude Strapping Code?

Published on Fri Oct 23, 2009

Question: I have received tons of conflicting information regarding codes 29540 and 20550. I've been told they are bundled together but have been told they're only bundled if the doctor uses the same diagnosis code for both procedures. For example, if I bill 20550 with 726.90 and 29540 with 728.71, I attach modifier 59. Is this correct? Tennessee Subscriber Answer: For a payer that follows Correct Coding Initiative (CCI) edits, you should be able to report both procedures provided your documentation supports that the procedures are separate and distinct. CCI bundles 29540 (Strapping; ankle and/or foot) into 20550 (Injection[s]; single tendon sheath, or ligament, aponeurosis [e.g., plantar "fascia"]). In this case, 20550 is the column 1 code -- the more extensive procedure -- which includes the column 2 code -- the lesser procedure (29540). If your podiatrist performs a related tendon sheath or ligament injection on the same day as the patient undergoes [...]
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