Advanced Search

ED Coding and Reimbursement Alert

Reader Question:

Treatment Versus Reduction

Published on Sun Apr 01, 2001

Question: Are the terms closed reduction and closed treatment synonymous? How could you say you treated a fracture without some type of manipulation?

Cheryl Starner
Kansas City, Mo.

Answer: Most likely they are the same. However, for clarity, physicians should use the more correct term of closed reduction. If there is a difference between the two, it would be that a fracture that does not require reduction, and is simply casted, might be closed treatment, while a displaced or angulated fracture that is reduced and then casted may be closed reduction. Closed means that no incision was made in the skin to treat the injury.
You’ve reached your limit of free articles. Already a subscriber? Log in.
Not a subscriber? Subscribe today to continue reading this article. Plus, you’ll get:
  • Simple explanations of current healthcare regulations and payer programs
  • Real-world reporting scenarios solved by our expert coders
  • Industry news, such as MAC and RAC activities, the OIG Work Plan, and CERT reports
  • Instant access to every article ever published in your eNewsletter
  • 6 annual AAPC-approved CEUs*
  • The latest updates for CPT®, ICD-10-CM, HCPCS Level II, NCCI edits, modifiers, compliance, technology, practice management, and more
*CEUs available with select eNewsletters.

Other Articles in this issue of

ED Coding and Reimbursement Alert

View All