Reader Questions: Depend on Number and Nature of the Nails to Choose Between 11719, 11721, 11720
Question: What CPT® code is best for cutting and filing ten toenails?
Indiana Subscriber
Answer: The answer depends on the nature of the nail cutting and the nature of the nails involved.
If the nails are non-dystrophic and the physician is simply using clippers or other similar instrument to cut each nail straight across so that it is in line with the edge of the end of the toe, then you should report 11719 (Trimming of nondystrophic nails, any number). Note that because this code covers “any number” of nails, you would only report it once, even though...
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