Wiki ORIF metatarsal fx nonunion

[tldixon@mokancomm.net]

Patient sustained LT distal 5th metatarsal fx about 2 months ago. She is under a global. Dr. has decided to do ORIF of metatarsal fracture with application of itramedullary screw fixation.
CPT code is 28485...would I use the -78 modifier with this procedure since patient is in a global?

 

[syraghu@yahoo.com]

non union

cpt 28322- repair of nonunion or malunion

 

[nrichard]

A true malunion is at least 6 months old. According to AAOS

Keep this in mind. You would bill an ORIF with modifier 78.
Sorry, I thought you'd selected a nonunion or malunion repair of a fracture.
You may even need to use modifier 76 if this was a repeat procedure.

 

[tldixon@mokancomm.net]

Thank you...