Wiki Hardware removal with new hardware implantation

[ammontagano]

Pt had ORIF done 1/2/10, 5 weeks later, x-ray showed a new fracture proximal to the original fx.

Surgery set up 2/20/10, old hardware removed and new hardware placed over the 2 fractures. Would 20680 get paid in this case or is it still inclusive to the fx code 27511?

 

[wrangirl]

Hi Ann,

Did you get paid for the hardware removal? What modifier did you use?

I have a similar situation with a Medicare patient who had a hip fx, had open tx with nailing, then she went on to fx her femoral shaft within the global period of her hip pinning. Dr. removed old hardware and put in new hardware for the femur fx.

Thanks,
Jessica Caldwell, CPC
Tampa, FL