Wiki Unbundling Question

[heatherweinmaster@gmail.com]

I have a quick question regarding unbundling of a trigger finger release:

Here's the OP

Right long finger incision
A number 15 blade was used to incise the skin overlying the A1 pulley of the right long finger.
Meticulous hemostasis was obtained in the subcutaneous plane. The flexor sheath, the A1
pulley, the flexor tendons, and the radial and ulnar neurovascular bundles were all identified and
protected. A 69 beaver blade was then used to incise the A1 pulley in it’s entirety. Following
the release, the patient did not demonstrate any evidence of catching or locking with passive
range of motion of the right long finger.
Of note, the patient had a significant amount of synovium surrounding both of the flexor tendons
to the right long finger. This synovium appeared hypertrophic and inflamed. As such, a
tenosynovectomy was performed for both of the flexor tendons
The right long finger wound was then copiously irrigated with sterile normal saline and the skin
was re-approximated with 4-0 nylon sutures. Attention was then turned to the right ring finger.

Physician feels that he has documented enough to bill for 26055 with 26145. Tenosynovectomy are inclusive in 26055 and I don't feel his documentation is sufficient.

Help!

Thanks
Heather

 

[Orthocoderpgu]

Tenosynovectomy would have to be performed on a different finger to report

You are correct. 26415 bundles with 26055 and no amount of documentation can circumvent that.

If you have access to Code-X it shows this.

In order to report 26415 it would have to be on a separate finger.