Coding for hand treatment and procedures presents unique challenges that Mary LeGrand, RN, MA, CCS-P, CPC, addresses in an article published in AAOS Now.
For reporting initial and subsequent collagenase injections, she reminds coders to capture the splint fabrication and suppliers as according to the specific payor rules.
In the case of a flexor profundus and flexor sublimis repair in zone two of the left index finger, coders should report modifier 59 on the second procedure code, which indicates that the surgery was performed at a separate location.
Finally, when a surgeon is performing an arthrotomy for irrigation and debridement of an infected interphlangeal joint, the coder should use the CPT code 26080 for an arthrotomy with an exploration, drainage or removal of loose or foreign body; interphalangeal joint, each, according to the report. The code should be appended with the modifier 78 to indicate postoperative infection development during a global period.
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