Wiki Clavicle plate removal

[MARY K]

I was wondering if an experienced Orthopedic Coder could help me explain to our new coder that cpt 23333 is not for the removal of a plate and screw used to correct a fracture, she is claims this is where cpt sent her. We have always used cpt 20680 for any hardware(plates, screws etc) removal. Any help or reference would be greatly appreciated. thank you

 

[shecodes]

There is a CPT Assistant from June 2009, titled Removal of Orthopedic Fixation (Codes 20670 and 20680), that may help.