Wiki Treatment of fracture/Casting Question

[jhofler]

If a physician treats a patient for a fracture and then a few weeks later applies a cast, when the patient comes back for casting can a 58 modifier be applied to the casting? It seems that I can. I'm a little confused when it comes to reading the rules. When reading the rules, it appears that I cannot bill for the casting at the time of the treatment for the fracture because the casting is included in the treatment. Thank you!

 

[daedolos]

The first cast is included in the global period if a surgery was done to treat the fracture. You can bill for additional casts (cast was loose, wet...etc) and make sure you append the appropriate modifier. Also, if the treatment required a splint because of swelling from the surgery, you can definitely use 58 for the followup visit in which a casting is done since this would be considered a staged procedure. It will extend your global period though.

Peace
@_*
If there was no surgery done, you wouldn't need to use 58 for any followup visits concerning fracture aftercare.