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Podiatry Coding & Billing Alert

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Hallux Limitus Release With Bunionectomy

Published on Mon Jun 18, 2012

Question: Can I report a hallux limitus release and an Austin bunionectomy in the same session?Maine SubscriberAnswer:  No, you may not. It's an issue that commonly trips up podiatry coders.While the two conditions often occur together and involve separate problems, the cheilectomy is really a component of the Austin bunionectomy, 28296 (Correction, hallux valgus [bunion], with or without sesamoidectomy; with metatarsal osteotomy [e.g., Mitchell, Chevron, or concentric type procedures]).Here's why: In the bunionectomy, the podiatrist tackles the problem with the angle of the joint and involves one or more of the following procedures: osteotomy, tendon transfer, joint implant, and joint fusion.With hallux limitus (ICD-9 code 735.2, Acquired deformities of toe; Hallux rigidus), meanwhile, the toe is rigid and has very limited range of motion. To correct the problem, the podiatrist performs a cheilectomy to clean up the first MTJ and restore mobility to the toe.The reason a cheilectomy is part [...]
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