Orthopedic Coding Alert
READER QUESTION:
Carpal Boss
Published on Fri Nov 01, 2002
Question: Is there a code for excision of carpal boss or spurringo carpometacarpal joint? I thought 25130 (Excision or curettage of bone cyst or benign tumor of carpal bones) might be appropriate, but is there something that will work better? New Jersey Subscriber Answer: No, you should use 26230 (Partial excision [craterization, saucerization, or diaphysectomy] bone [e.g., osteomyelitis]; metacarpal) instead, because a carpometacarpal boss occurs at the base of the second and third metacarpals and thus constitutes a "partial" excision.
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Orthopedic Coding Alert
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Question: Our hand surgeon performed a polydactyl removal of right and left thumbs (no bone). [...] - READER QUESTION:
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Question: Is there a code for excision of carpal boss or spurringo carpometacarpal joint? I [...] - READER QUESTION:
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Question: For elective surgery, our physician assistant (PA) usually performs the history and physical (H&P) [...] - READER QUESTION:
Pin Removal
Question: In the September 2002 issue, you suggested that modifier -58 (Staged or related procedure [...]
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