Wiki Nail Debridement vs Nail Trimming

[ssharris]

I have a documentation and reimbursement question and hoping you can clarify?

"All the nails were trimmed in length with a sterile nail nipper. The leading edges were debrided with the nail bur and electric podiatry drill. The debris under the edges of the great toenails was derided with the sterile curet"

Is this nail trimming since we DID NOT debride the entire nail (just edges and under toe)? CPT 11719
OR
Does it not matter as long as a portion was debrided Can we bill as 11721?

Thanks

 

[SharonCollachi]

APMA says you should not use a debridement code if the only area debrided is the area not attached to the nail bed.

 

[ssharris]

Thank You very much. That is what I was thinking. Just confirming edges does not constitute nail bed?

 

[fwnewbie]

I believe there's an anatomy picture in the HCPCS book that labels all parts of the nails.

 

[SharonCollachi]

The nail bed is the area where a normal nail is attached to the toe (or finger).

 

[ssharris]

Thank You all very much.