Wiki Closed reduction humerus to open

[kathy a]

Our physician saw a patient in the ER for right humerus pain. She was evaluated and found to have a three part segmental humeral shaft fracture. Patients skin was dusky and appeared to be under duress. He initially performed a closed reduction. Ggiven she had a lateral skin compromise, he placed her in a coaptation splint. Patients post reduction x- rays showed no significant improvement in the apex lateral angulation. At this point given the nature of the skin and the segmental nature of the fracture and difficulty to control by closed means he recommended she undergo open reduction/internal fixation. He waited and did the surgery the following day. Can I bill for the closed reduction or not?

 

[Bella Cullen]

I would say no you cannot bill for the closed reduction because the decision was made that same day to proceed and do the open procedure the next day.