AMA CPT® Assistant - 2020 Issue 8 (August)
Frequently Asked Questions (August 2020)
August 2020 page 14 Frequently Asked Questions Surgery: Musculoskeletal System Question: How should treatment of a nonunion avulsion fracture at the base of the left fifth metatarsal be reported when the surgery consists of excising the bone fracture fragment? Answer: This procedure is reported with CPT code 28122, Partial excision (craterization, saucerization, sequestrectomy, or diaphysectomy) bone (eg, osteomyelitis or bossing); tarsal or metatarsal bone, except talus or calcaneus. It would not be appropriate to report a fracture repair code when excising a nonunion fragment. It also would not be appropriate to report a repair of nonunion/malunion code when only...
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Article Overview
This August 2020 FAQ article reviews coding issues across musculoskeletal surgery, digestive system surgery, endocrine surgery, immunology laboratory testing, and selected medicine services. It is aimed at coders, billers, and clinical documentation staff who need to understand what types of CPT guidance are addressed in the article and which specialties and service categories are covered.
Why This Topic Matters
The article matters because it brings together multiple practical CPT coding questions in one place, helping readers quickly identify whether the full discussion applies to their specialty or documentation challenge. It is especially useful for people looking for guidance on surgery, laboratory, and medicine coding topics discussed in a question-and-answer format.
Article Sections
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Surgery: Musculoskeletal System
Covers a musculoskeletal surgery coding question involving treatment of a foot fracture-related scenario and another involving hallux rigidus surgery at the first metatarsophalangeal joint.
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Surgery: Digestive System
Addresses digestive system surgery questions involving frenulum-related procedures and a laparoscopic cholecystectomy scenario with an incidental hernia finding.
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Surgery: Endocrine System
Discusses thyroid surgery coding for a substernal thyroid component and how the question is framed for cervical approach procedures.
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Pathology and Laboratory: Immunology
Reviews a laboratory immunology question involving human leukocyte antigen crossmatch testing using flow cytometry.
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Medicine: Special Otorhinolaryngologic Services
Examines medicine coding for vestibular-related testing and the reporting of an unlisted service in a specialized otorhinolaryngologic context.
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Medicine: Neurology and Neuromuscular Procedures
Addresses a neurology coding question involving repetitive nerve stimulation testing for a motor nerve study.
What You Will Learn
- Which specialty sections are covered in this FAQ article
- What kinds of CPT reporting questions are addressed
- How the article is organized by service category
- Which topics involve surgical, laboratory, and medicine coding guidance
- What types of scenarios are discussed across multiple anatomic and clinical areas
Who Should Read This
- Medical coders
- Coding auditors
- Billing staff
- Clinical documentation specialists
- Practice managers
- Revenue cycle professionals
Codes Discussed
Code Ranges Discussed
Modifiers Discussed
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