I hate to say it, but after reading the Operative Report, most all of the codes "used" for this procedure are incorrect. I will not go into who, how, or why the codes were changed from the Coder to the Billing Department, and/but maybe the physician was consulted in the process. It is not hard to see how the coding of this case is difficult, as the terms/wording in CPT Descriptors are subtly different from each other as it applies to the arthrodesis/fusion of the wrist as done. In the code 25800: Arthrodesis, wrist, complete, etc., the word Complete actually means that the entire wrist was fused from the distal radius and ulna to the carpals. This was not what was done. What was done was 25820: Arthrodesis, wrist, limited, with autograft (utilizing the bone from the resected ulnar head, and which is included in the procedural code) which covers fusion of the Radoiocarpal Joint, only. The term Limited in the descriptor excludes the incorporation of the distal ulna in the arthrodesis. The resection of the Ulnar Head (complete in this case) is the Darrach Procedure, 25240. This is in fact correct.
This case is tricky due to the subtlety of the words used.
Got it....thanks for the heads up, doctor.
Peace
@_*