Eli's Rehab Report

Published on Tue May 01, 2001 PDF

Question: What is the correct code for setting up an aircast for a patient with a sprained ankle?

Minnesota Subscriber

Answer: There are practices that bill for fitting the more complex aircasts using 29540 (strapping; ankle), although some aircasts dont require much more effort than slipping a patients foot into the cast and closing it with Velcro. In those latter cases, you would probably bill using the E/M code for the patients visit that day, and not bill separately for the fitting. If your physical medicine and rehabilitation practice is licensed to bill for durable medical equipment (DME), you can bill for the aircast separately using L4350 (pneumatic ankle control splint [e.g., aircast], prefabricated, includes fitting and adjustment).