Podiatry CPT Coding Updates for 2022 April 27, 2022
Every year, the American Medical Association releases a new Current Procedural Terminology set that takes effect on January 1.
Most of this year’s changes come from new guidance language rather than code additions, deletions, or edits for podiatry practices. Let’s first define podiatry care in detail before moving on to the CPT updates.
The Role of Podiatry in Healthcare
The field of podiatry deals with the diagnosis and treatment of diseases, injuries, and deformities of the foot. It involves the diagnosis, medical, and surgical treatment of the foot, ankle, and lower extremity problems. In addition to medical and surgical treatments, mechanical and physical therapies are also available. Like other disciplines, podiatry requires regular collections to survive.
On the other hand, coding is complex in podiatry due to multiple procedures performed on the same structure or organ, requiring various codes.
The Current Procedural Terminology adds the following clarification for 2022: “All services that appear in the Musculoskeletal System section include the application and removal of the first cast, splint, or traction device when performed. Supplies may be reported separately.”
Several third-party payers, such as Medicare, have long followed this guidance, which applies everywhere CPT codes are used, regardless of the payer.
This guidance does not change based on where you receive your services. If the triple arthrodesis is performed in the operating room, the CPT code representing the cast application should not be submitted.
Similarly, suppose any fracture care code is submitted in an office setting, such as closed fracture treatment without manipulation. In that case, the CPT code corresponding to the cast application should not be submitted.
Podiatrists managing fractures often have to decide whether to perform closed treatment with manipulation or closed treatment without manipulation CPT codes.
The new language in the 2022 CPT code set clarifies what “manipulation” actually means when used in code descriptors in CPT. Manipulation is defined as: “reduction by the application of manually applied forces or traction to achieve satisfactory alignment of the fracture or dislocation.” Usually, this is referred to as closed reduction.
The CPT clarified the following codes for external fixation this year:
“Codes for external fixation are reported separately only when external fixation is not listed in the code descriptor as inherent to the procedure.”
Therefore, providers can only submit external fixation CPT codes. CPT does not include the application of external fixation in its code descriptor for the primary procedure.
Below is the CPT code corresponding to a first metatarsophalangeal joint arthrodesis:
CPT 28750—Arthrodesis, great toe; metatarsophalangeal joint
Code descriptor doesn’t include external fixation in the list. Hence, the CPT code for the first metatarsophalangeal joint arthrodesis and the CPT code for the external fixation can both be submitted if external fixation is used.
In the case of an open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) of a metatarsal fracture that is fixed with external fixation, the CPT code for the external fixation would be:
CPT 28485—Open treatment of metatarsal fracture, with or without internal or external fixation, each
This is listed in the code descriptor. Thus, if external fixation is used with this procedure, only the ORIF CPT code can be submitted; the external fixation CPT code cannot be submitted as well.
Foreign Body vs Implant
If a joint prosthesis becomes loose or isn’t functioning, is it considered a foreign body removal? The CPT clearly answers this question that has been asked for a while now.
According to the new language on page 525 of the CPT book for 2022, it states that:
“An object intentionally placed by a physician or other qualified health care professional for any purpose (eg, diagnostic or therapeutic) is considered an implant.”
“An object that is unintentionally placed (eg, trauma or ingestion) is considered a foreign body.”
“If an implant (or part thereof) has moved from its original position or is structurally broken and no longer serves its intended purpose or presents a hazard to the patient, it qualifies as a foreign body for coding purposes, unless CPT coding instructions direct otherwise or a specific CPT code exists to describe the removal of that broken/moved implant.”
Wound Repair
This year, a new language adds that only one CPT code is required to represent the closure of one wound when multiple products and/or multiple techniques are used to close it.
Further information on wound repair is provided in the 2022 CPT book, on page 106, where it is stated that wounds treated with chemical cauterization, electrocauterization, or adhesive strips cannot be coded with wound repair CPT codes.
Clarification of simple wound repair is on the list this year:
“Simple repair is used when the wound is superficial (eg, involving primarily epidermis or dermis, or subcutaneous tissues without significant involvement of deeper structures) and requires simple one-layer closure.”
Moreover, anesthesia and hemostasis should not be reported separately when combined to treat simple wounds.
Key Takeaway
These are just a few changes relevant to podiatrist practices in 2022’s CPT codes. The podiatry providers who submit CPT codes should know the entire CPT code set or use experts who are familiar with it. From January 1, 2022, they should utilize the most current CPT code set.
The CPT is a trademark of and copyright (2021) of the American Medical Association, with all rights reserved.
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