Wiki coding comminuted fracture

[diane.smith409]

My surgeon did an ORIF of a comminuted intra-articular distal radial shaft fracture. He is stating that 25609 is the correct code to bill as 3+ fragments would be the shaft and 2 major articular fragments. For coding purposes, does the shaft count as a fragment? Is there any documentation known of to support this or not? Much appreciated!!

 

[caromissunc1]

Your doc is correct. 25609 is the correct code. Any time you see the word "comminuted", it means that there are at least 3 or more fragments.

 

[moodymom]

I agree 25609 is correct.

 

[diane.smith409]

thanks so much for the confirmation!