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Podiatry Coding & Billing Alert

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Subungual Exostectomies

Published on Fri Jun 10, 2011

Question: I'm having trouble pinning down a CPT code for a subungual exostectomy. I can only think of the debridement code 11044, but I don't think this is correct because the podiatrist didn't really debride the soft tissue; he just made a small incision at the tip of the distal phalanx of the great toe so he could rasp the bone smooth. What code should I use?Maine SubscriberAnswer: You're correct in that this procedure does not take a debridement code such as 11044 (Debridement, bone [includes epidermis, dermis, subcutaneous tissue, muscle and/or fascia, if performed]; first 20 sq cm or less) -- and your first hint is that the procedure is called an "exostectomy." This excision procedure fits under 28124 (Partial excision [craterization, saucerization, sequestrectomy, or diaphysectomy] bone [e.g., osteomyelitis or bossing]; phalanx of toe). If the podiatrist had to excise or avulse the nail to access the subungual exostosis, do [...]
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