Wiki K wire removal during global

[bcousino]

Good morning,

I have a physician who performed/billed 24685 and 27235 on 03/19/12.

Patient returned early to the office on 05/07/12 as the K-wire migrated and was causing the patient pain. The physician injected Xylocain, made a 1 cm incision and removed the pin with forceps.

I don't see where CPT provides guidance on hardware removal?

Is this service billable or does the hardward typically get removed and global comes into play?

Also if you could let me know your source documentation to support your answer that would be great. I am new to the ortho arena.

Thank you,
Betty

 

[judithdoss]

K-Wire removal during the global.

Betty,
I'm sorry I don't have any reference to refer you to, but I believe this would only be billable if the patient was brought back to the OR- removal in the office would be included in the global period.

Judy

 

[pittiemom2722]

You can try to bill 20680 with modifier 58 as a staged procedure. Some payers will only pay if done in the OR, some will still pay when done in the office. You'd have to submit the claim and see what that specific payer policy is.


Kris