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Podiatry Coding & Billing Alert

Don't Leave Money on the Table by Under-Coding Ligament Repair

Published on Sun Mar 21, 2010

If you overlook a secondary repair, you're missing out on $155.89. If you see your share of athletes, you probably treat a fair number of sprained ankle ligaments. Pay close attention to the number of incisions and ligaments detailed in the report, and whether the podiatrist also found a fracture, to ensure you arrive at the correct ligament repair code -- and the reimbursement you deserve. Code Separately Per Incision To avoid missing out on ethical reimbursement for ligament repair, check how many ligaments and incisions the operation involves. These numbers will help you capture all allowed ligament repair charges without overcoding. Don't overlook: There are two collateral ligament groups on each ankle, the medial and lateral, notes Richard D. Odom, DPM, ABPS, CPC, a podiatrist in Spanish Fort, Ala. Code 27695 (Repair, primary, disrupted ligament, ankle; collateral) refers to repairing a new injury of either the medial or lateral structures, [...]
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