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Podiatry Coding & Billing Alert

Reader Questions:

Differentiate Tenotomy Codes Through Tendons Repaired

Published on Mon Jul 05, 2010

Question: What is the difference between 28010 and 28011? Washington SubscriberAnswer: CPT 28010 (Tenotomy, percutaneous, toe; single tendon) is single toe, single tendon. If you did a tenotomy on mutiple toes (one tendon per toe), you should report 28010 for each toe.Meanwhile, you should bill 28011 for tenotomy percutaneous, toe; multiple tendons, one toe. Back in 2008 there was an AMA response that stated the CDR was incorrect in their publication for 28011. As indicated by the CPT code descriptor, 28011 is for multiple tendons not "multiple toes." For instance, you would report one tendon release in one toe using 28010 plus the toe modifier. If you have one tendon in two different toes ��" for example 2nd and 3rd digit right -- you would report it at 28010-T6 and 28010-T7.
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