Wiki Coding for serial casting

[Judy.Diamond@MolinaHealthCare.Com]

I am still fairly new at coding, but I have a provider that is stating an unlisted code is more appropriate than a specific code. We see quite a few kids with cerebral palsy that need lower extremity serial casting. The provider is stating that 29799 should be used as 29405, 29425 can only be used for fracture, and 29450 is only for congenital deformities. I have tried to find where 29405 and 29425 state they can only be used with a fracture, but only see it listed in examples in our coding system. I looked in the AMA CPT guidelines and on the medicare site and cannot find this either. IF the casting is to straighten a joint and loosen a tendon for increased range of motion, wouldn't 29405 or 29425 be most appropriate?

Thank you for any input you can give

 

[jhaleycoder]

Hi Judy-

I used to work in a office and we did serial casting on kids with cerebral palsy and brachial plexus all the time. Especially for contractures. I used the appropriate a application cast codes and any supplies. I never used an unlisted for serial casting.