Orthopedic Coding Alert
Reader Question:
Don't Report Reattachment Without Amputation
Published on Mon Apr 19, 2004
Question: Our surgeon removed a patient's toenail and repaired the patient's partially detached toe, which was almost completely amputated. Which codes should we report for the reattachment? Answer: CPT includes reattachment codes (20802-20838), but you should only report these if the patient's digit is completely detached (with no vascular attachment). These codes include treatment of the amputated part, but your patient's toe was not actually amputated, so this series would not apply.
Missouri Subscriber
You should therefore report the appropriate code that describes the structure that the physician repaired (such as the tendon, nerve or fracture).
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