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Dbx bone graft

When a cpt code, for example 21147 lefort 1, 3pc, states with bone graft, does dbx or dbm (demineralized bone matrix) constitute with bone graft. I bill for the professional/surgeon in this scenerio. I think that the dbx/dbm is a product that the facility will bill for (hcpcs) but does not constitute application/harvesting of bone graft. I have looked for information regarding this and haven’t found anything concrete. Any thoughts, thanks!!!!

Medical Billing and Coding Forum

Denials for knee x-rays with bone length study???

:confused:Has anyone else been getting denials on x-rays done with the bone length stating services not payable with other service rendered on the same date? Our providers do pre and post operative xrays and bone length studies and recently we have started getting denials on the xray when billed with bone length study. Please help:confused:

Medical Billing and Coding Forum

NM Bone scan Whole body with pt refusal of images

I have a pt that has come in to have a NM bone scan whole body. The pt refused images after the injection of 20.9 mCi of technetium 99 M labeled MDM due to him being claustrophobic.

I’m a little confused on which way to go with this one. At first I was thinking that I would bill for the body scan with the 52 modifier but now I’m thinking that I would only bill for the injection.

Can anyone help break this down for me?

Thanks

Medical Billing and Coding Forum

Coding for Fusion with autogeneous bone graft

For the first procedure with graft, would coding it as 28750 for the fusion and 20900 for the graft be correct?

POSTPROCEDURE DIAGNOSTIC IMPRESSION:
1. Severe hallux valgus, left.
2. Dislocation of the second and third metatarsophalangeal joint, left.
3. Hammertoe deformity second and third digit, left foot.

OPERATIVE PROCEDURE:
1. Fusion of first MTPJ right with autogenous bone graft.
2. Metatarsal head resection second and third, left.
3. Arthroplasty PIPJ second and third, left.

DESCRIPTION OF PROCEDURE: The patient was brought to the OR, placed in the supine position, and made to feel comfortable. After administration of IV sedation, 30 cc of 0.5% Marcaine plain was administered via first ray, second ray, and third ray block to the left foot. The foot was then prepped and draped using sterile technique. An Esmarch bandage was used to exsanguinate all blood from the left foot and ankle. The pneumatic ankle tourniquet was elevated to 250 mmHg. Attention was then directed to the dorsomedial aspect of the first MTPJ, where a 6-cm linear incision was performed extending from the midshaft of the first metatarsal to the midshaft of the proximal phalanx. Sharp and blunt dissection was taken through the subcutaneous tissue being careful to avoid all vital structures and bovied all bleeders. Once at the level of the capsule and periosteum, a linear incision was performed extending the length of the skin incision. Sharp dissection was then used to reflect the capsule and periosteum from the head, neck, and distal shaft of the first metatarsal and the base of the proximal shaft of the proximal phalanx. Exposure of the joint revealed erosions of the articular cartilage with significant increase in the PASA – it was deemed appropriate for a fusion. Arthrex cannulated reamers were used to remove the remaining articular cartilage and subchondral bone at the head of the first metatarsal with some osteoporosis noted at the base of the proximal phalanx. While reaming the base of the proximal phalanx, approximately 40% of the superior portion of the base of proximal phalanx was destroyed either to the bone being too soft or the reamer not being adequately sharpened. After careful inspection, the surgical site was irrigated with copious amounts of sterile saline. The hallux was placed in slight abduction and dorsiflexion and a 3-0 guide pin was inserted in the plantar aspect of the remaining base of proximal phalanx extending
from distal medial to proximal lateral. A portion of the medial eminence approximately 3-mm portion of bone graft was also removed and fashioned to fit the defect – this was performed after a small resection of the medial eminence was performed. More bone graft was necessary so attention was directed to the second and third metatarsals, where a linear incision was performed at the lateral and dorsal aspect of the second MTPJ extending from the midshaft of the metatarsal to the base of proximal phalanx. Sharp and blunt dissection was taken down to each MTPJ level being careful to avoid all vital structures and bovied all bleeders. Once at the level of the capsule, a linear incision was performed extending the length of the skin incision – second MTPJ was dissected first and the third and second. Once exposure of the joint was revealed, it was noted to be arthritic at the head of the second metatarsal and inspection of the plantar plate revealed no significant remaining plantar plate for reattachment – it was deemed appropriate for metatarsal head resection, which was performed at approximately the neck level of the second metatarsal. The head was removed in toto and preserved for bone graft. A bone rasp was used to smooth off any remaining bone irregularities. A similar procedure was performed at the third metatarsal head trying to maintain the normal metatarsal parabola. The second metatarsal head was fashioned into an autogenous bone graft with medial and lateral cortical bone intact. After fashioning of all layers of bone graft, they were placed in an appropriate fashion with good bone to bone contact and good filling of the void. A T-plate was then applied along the dorsal aspect of the first MTPJ construct with fashioning of the plate along the dorsal cortex of the head of the first metatarsal and the base of the remaining proximal phalanx. Five screws were placed bicortical with good stability and compression of the fusion site. Surgical site was used to irrigate with copious amounts of sterile saline around the surgical site. A 3-0 Vicryl was used to reapproximate the capsular incision and 4-0 nylon the skin incision. Attention was then directed to the second and third MTPJ levels, where a bone rasp was used to smooth off any remaining bone irregularities. Attention was then directed to the second and third PIPJ level, where a 1.5-cm linear incision was performed with the similar procedure performed on each digit – sharp and blunt dissection was taken through the subcutaneous tissue being careful to avoid all vital structures and bovied all bleeders. Once at the level of the capsule, a transverse incision was used to enter the joint, the medial and lateral collateral ligaments were transected and the extensor tendon apparatus was freed from the head of the proximal phalanx. A bone cutter was used to remove the head of the proximal phalanx at the level of the anatomical neck. A bone rasp was then used to smooth off any remaining bone irregularities. A 0.045-inch K-wire was then inserted through the middle and distal phalanges and retrograded into base of proximal phalanx. The toe was placed in appropriate position and the K-wire was driven into the corresponding metatarsal shaft. Forefoot loading revealed good reduction of deformities. Kwires were bent, cut, and capped. A 3-0 Vicryl was used to reapproximate the MTPJ incision and 4-0 Vicryl the PIPJ incision. A 4-0 nylon was then used to reapproximate the skin incisions. An 8 mg of dexamethasone phosphate was administered evenly around the surgical sites followed by Xeroform and sterile compressive dressing.

Medical Billing and Coding Forum

Bone Marrow Aspiration Coding

Our Podiatrist performed a bone marrow aspiration and introduced it into the surgical site. A portion of the op note is below:

Procedure 3 cotton osteotomy right foot medial cuneiform:
Attention was then drawn to the dorsal aspect of the right foot where a 5 cm was generated over the medial cuneiform. Dissection was carried down to the level of the periosteum of the medial cuneiform using a combination of sharp and blunt dissection. Transverse osteotomy was performed, and a metatarsal spreader was used to help relax the soft tissues on the plantar most surface of the medial cuneiform. A Hintermann was introduced to allow for enhanced distraction and a size 6 cotton wedge bone graft was introduced to the medial cuneiform. Prior to doing so, 3 mL of bone marrow aspirate was introduced into the osteotomy site, bathing both the graft as well as the inferior surface. Temporary fixation came in the form of a 0.062 K-wire that was introduced proximal to distal. The wound was irrigated and closed. Prior to doing so, bone putty osteoconductive material was packed around the graft.

Procedure 6 bone marrow aspiration right heel:
Prior to insufflation of the tourniquet, a Jamshidi needle was introduced to the lateral aspect of the body of the tuberosity of the calcaneus. Under negative pressure, 5 mL of bone marrow aspirate was obtained for introduction to both the calcaneal osteotomy as well as the cotton osteotomy site. Once the bone marrow aspirate was obtained, the wound was irrigated and closed in the usual fashion. The patient was then taken to the PACU with neurovascular status intact to the right foot and ankle. The patient tolerated the procedure and the anesthesia well.

There is disagreement in our office as to what the bone marrow aspiration should be coded as:
38220 which the Coder’s Desk Reference says is diagnostic and sent out to be analyzed which he did not do
or
38232 which is more for harvesting for use in an actual transplant
or
0232T PRP which can be by blood or bone marrow but he did not state he spun it down

Any help would be appreciated

Medical Billing and Coding Forum

Bone Marrow Aspiration Coding

Our Podiatrist performed a bone marrow aspiration and a portion of the op note is below:

Procedure 3 cotton osteotomy right foot medial cuneiform:
Attention was then drawn to the dorsal aspect of the right foot where a 5 cm was generated over the medial cuneiform. Dissection was carried down to the level of the periosteum of the medial cuneiform using a combination of sharp and blunt dissection. Transverse osteotomy was performed, and a metatarsal spreader was used to help relax the soft tissues on the plantar most surface of the medial cuneiform. A Hintermann was introduced to allow for enhanced distraction and a size 6 cotton wedge bone graft was introduced to the medial cuneiform. Prior to doing so, 3 mL of bone marrow aspirate was introduced into the osteotomy site, bathing both the graft as well as the inferior surface. Temporary fixation came in the form of a 0.062 K-wire that was introduced proximal to distal. The wound was irrigated and closed. Prior to doing so, bone putty osteoconductive material was packed around the graft.

Procedure 6 bone marrow aspiration right heel:
Prior to insufflation of the tourniquet, a Jamshidi needle was introduced to the lateral aspect of the body of the tuberosity of the calcaneus. Under negative pressure, 5 mL of bone marrow aspirate was obtained for introduction to both the calcaneal osteotomy as well as the cotton osteotomy site. Once the bone marrow aspirate was obtained, the wound was irrigated and closed in the usual fashion. The patient was then taken to the PACU with neurovascular status intact to the right foot and ankle. The patient tolerated the procedure and the anesthesia well.

There is disagreement in our office as to what the bone marrow aspiration should be coded as:
38220 which the Coder’s Desk Reference says is diagnostic and sent out to be analyzed which he did not do
or
38232 which is more for harvesting for use in an actual transplant
or
0232T PRP which can be by blood or bone marrow but he did not state he spun it down

Any help would be appreciated

Medical Billing and Coding Forum

Help Please…. Excision of Elbow Mass CPT or Excision/Curettage of Bone Cyst CPT?

I am thinking this should be CPT 24116 (Excision or curettage of bone cyst, humerus;with allograft)
Dr office coded this to CPT 24071(Excision of tumor, elbow area, subcutaneous)

PREOPERATIVE DIAGNOSIS: Left elbow mass.
POSTOPERATIVE DIAGNOSIS: Left elbow mass, a cyst that went down
to the bone. It was an intraosseous cyst that became
extraosseous. There was clear gelatinous fluid and measured
about 7 mm x 7 mm.
PROCEDURE PERFORMED: Excision of the mass and curettage of the
bone with insertion of allograft bone putty.

CLINICAL NOTE: The patient is a 53-year-old gentleman who has
had a mass on the tip of his lateral epicondyle for prolonged
period of time. Every time he banged or hit it, it was quite
uncomfortable for him. He wished to have it excised. The risks
and complications of the procedure including, but not limited to
nerve damage, tendon damage, problems of infection, continued
pain, stiffness, soreness, recurrence, possible diagnosis of
both benign and malignant, as well as others were explained to
him prior to the surgery. He asked me questions and all
questions were answered to his satisfaction, and he signed the
consent form prior to the surgery
DESCRIPTION OF PROCEDURE: The patient was brought to the
operating room and placed in the supine position on the
operating table after receiving IV antibiotics for prophylaxis.
He then had general anesthesia administered by the
anesthesiologist. Once adequate anesthesia was obtained, he had
a tourniquet placed high on his left arm with some Webril and
had his left upper extremity prepped and draped in the normal
sterile fashion. Appropriate time-out was taken. An Esmarch
bandage was used to exsanguinate the arm and tourniquet was
inflated to 250 mmHg. An incision was made directly over the
mass for about 2 cm. The mass was right at the very tip of the
lateral epicondyle. Sharp dissection was carried down through
the skin and blunt dissection. There was an obvious cyst and it
was filled with clear gelatinous fluid. The cyst was excised
and traced down to its stalk. The stalk did emanate from a void
in the bone and went down intraosseous. The bone window was
opened up sightly and then, inside the bone was curettaged out.
It got down the casing of the cyst. Once this was completed, we
got down to a nice bony surface. The wound was copiously
irrigated with sterile irrigant. The void in the bone was then
filled with 1 mL of bone putty to promote healing. The
subcutaneous tissue was then closed with 2-0 Vicryl and skin was
closed with 4-0 nylon. Xeroform and bulky dressings were
applied and tourniquet was deflated with total tourniquet time
of about 14 minutes. He was then brought to the recovery room
in stable condition with good capillary refill on his
fingertips.

Medical Billing and Coding Forum

Bone Marrow Aspiration and Biopsy Coding

Bone marrow aspiration and biopsy codes received updates in CPT® 2018 that significantly change how the services are reported. Existing codes 38220 and 38221 were revised: 38220 Bone Diagnostic bonemarrow; aspirationonly(s) 38221 Bone Diagnostic bonemarrow; biopsy, needle or trocar(ies) Note: To demonstrate the updates for 2018, new text is underlined and deleted text is struck […]
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