Wiki Bunionectomy & excision of bone spur

[Jody Mortensen]

I need help; surgeon does a Youngswick bunionectomy with internal screw fixation/left foot & excision of bone spur/left hallux: The op note is pretty lengthy if needed please let me know. I was looking at 28296 for the bunionectomy & confused on the excision of the bone spur looking at 28108 but have questions and need help/direction.

I see that 28108 is bundled in 28296 but checked the CCI edits & it is allowed with a modifier. Can I code both CPTS if the bunion is from the 1st mtp joint & the bone spur excised from the proximal phalanx of the left hallux, seperate site/seperate incisions? Does this not meet the criteria for modifier 59? I checked out a bulletin from the AAOS August 2002 which states under 28296 "removal of additional exostoses in the area of the joint is inclusive." I'm so confused.

Any help/direction would be appreciated. Thank you in advance for your help.

Jody Hecht

 

[TammyHF]

All bunionectomies includes sesamoidectomy and/or simple exostectomy as part of the procedure. I would only code the exostectomy only if the operative proves that the exostectomy was more invovled than a simple exostectomy. I would only use 28108 only if the doctor documented a bone cyst not a bone spur.