So your anatomic terminology tripping up your foot and ankle claims? If so read on for more about some of the more common foot procedures your family physician might face and you will be coding those services like a pro.
You should build coding foundations with basic knowledge. Sudden impacts, say for instance those from jumping during sports) or simple wear-and-tear can lead to toe, foot and ankle problems. You should know the differences between these diagnoses or you may miss a subtle difference and report the wrong code.
Medical coding tip: You might need modifiers to help differentiate work on different areas of the feet or toes. These modifiers include LT, RT, TA-T9 and sometimes 59, depending on the service your physician provides. These modifiers become all the more important if the FP performs the same procedure on more than one foot or toe.
You should check differences between bunions and hallux valgus. A bunion happens to be an enlargement of bone or tissue around the metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joint of the great toe. It's often caused by patients wearing shoes that are too narrow around the toe box and can lead to pain and deformity of the toes.
You should verify injection rules for Morton's Neuroma, TTS
Morton's neuroma (355.6) is a thickening of the plantar nerve lying between the heads of the metatarsals. Normally, symptoms include pain, tingling, burning or numbness in the area. This can be caused by wearing shoes with a narrow toe or box or due to sports.
Doctors conduct a physical exam and many a time use x-rays to diagnose a Morton's neuroma. Rest, orthotics, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and changing shoes will normally help lessen the patient's pain, however corticosteroid injections may be necessary. In some instances, the family physician might refer the patient to a surgeon for excising the neuroma surgically.
Compression or entrapment of the posterior tibial nerve causes tarsal tunnel syndrome (TTS, 355.5). This condition is similar to carpal tunnel syndrome in the wrist, however causes pain and numbness at the bottom of the foot. Extreme standing on the feet, varicose veins, bone spurs, athletic injuries, and other issues can lead to tarsal tunnel syndrome.
Physicians depend on a physical exam to diagnose TTS, normally along with studies including electromyography (95860- 95872) or nerve conduction studies (95900-95905). Once the physician confirms the diagnosis, she'll usually begin conservative treatments such as injections, NSAIDs, rest, and footwear changes. However in some cases, the patient may need surgery. The most common surgical treatment happens to be a tarsal tunnel release (28035).
PTTD, Plantar Fasciitis may need surgery. Posterior tibial tendon dysfunction (PTTD) takes place when the posterior tibial tendon becomes inflamed, stretched out, or torn because of wear-and-tear or a sudden injury. Normally physicians can diagnose this condition using a physical exam, x-ray, or MRI.
You should build coding foundations with basic knowledge. Sudden impacts, say for instance those from jumping during sports) or simple wear-and-tear can lead to toe, foot and ankle problems. You should know the differences between these diagnoses or you may miss a subtle difference and report the wrong code.
Medical coding tip: You might need modifiers to help differentiate work on different areas of the feet or toes. These modifiers include LT, RT, TA-T9 and sometimes 59, depending on the service your physician provides. These modifiers become all the more important if the FP performs the same procedure on more than one foot or toe.
You should check differences between bunions and hallux valgus. A bunion happens to be an enlargement of bone or tissue around the metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joint of the great toe. It's often caused by patients wearing shoes that are too narrow around the toe box and can lead to pain and deformity of the toes.
You should verify injection rules for Morton's Neuroma, TTS
Morton's neuroma (355.6) is a thickening of the plantar nerve lying between the heads of the metatarsals. Normally, symptoms include pain, tingling, burning or numbness in the area. This can be caused by wearing shoes with a narrow toe or box or due to sports.
Doctors conduct a physical exam and many a time use x-rays to diagnose a Morton's neuroma. Rest, orthotics, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and changing shoes will normally help lessen the patient's pain, however corticosteroid injections may be necessary. In some instances, the family physician might refer the patient to a surgeon for excising the neuroma surgically.
Compression or entrapment of the posterior tibial nerve causes tarsal tunnel syndrome (TTS, 355.5). This condition is similar to carpal tunnel syndrome in the wrist, however causes pain and numbness at the bottom of the foot. Extreme standing on the feet, varicose veins, bone spurs, athletic injuries, and other issues can lead to tarsal tunnel syndrome.
Physicians depend on a physical exam to diagnose TTS, normally along with studies including electromyography (95860- 95872) or nerve conduction studies (95900-95905). Once the physician confirms the diagnosis, she'll usually begin conservative treatments such as injections, NSAIDs, rest, and footwear changes. However in some cases, the patient may need surgery. The most common surgical treatment happens to be a tarsal tunnel release (28035).
PTTD, Plantar Fasciitis may need surgery. Posterior tibial tendon dysfunction (PTTD) takes place when the posterior tibial tendon becomes inflamed, stretched out, or torn because of wear-and-tear or a sudden injury. Normally physicians can diagnose this condition using a physical exam, x-ray, or MRI.
