Orthopedic Coding Alert

6 steps capture exclusions to get you the right code combo. Guest columnist: Annette Grady, CPC, CPC-H, CPC-P, CCS-P, OS With fracture type, treatment, debridement, intent, documentation, and materials all vying for your attention, you can easily land on the wrong surgical code -- or billing method, or even overlook an allowed charge. Make achieving the correct code combination less of a feat by taking these steps. Step 1: Identify Fracture Treatment Type The most important thing to remember about fracture care is that the type of fracture does not have any coding correlation with the type of treatment that is provided. For example, an open/compound fracture can be treated by closed means, or vice versa. An orthopod may employ these fracture treatment types: Closed treatment: The fracture site is not surgically opened (exposed to the external environment and directly visible). Closed treatments can be with or without manipulation and/or traction. [...]