tci ED Coding & Reimbursement Alert - 2004 Issue 1

Reader Question: Know Who Did What for Fracture Treatment

Question: A patient presented with a fracture of the ankle. It was severe enough to compromise the circulation to the foot. When caring for the fracture dislocation, the emergency physician reduced the dislocation immediately, then called in an orthopedist. The orthopedist took the patient to the OR for further treatment. Which CPT codes are more appropriate: fracture care, or reduction of dislocation? Can I code for both?Mississippi Subscriber Answer: You should code and bill only for the reduction - for example, 27846 (Open treatment of ankle dislocation, with or without percutaneous skeletal fixation; without repair or internal fixation)...

To read the full article, sign in and subscribe to tci ED Coding & Reimbursement Alert.

Thank you for choosing Find-A-Code, please Sign In to remove ads.