03/27/2018

Proper Coding for Glass Removal With Ultrasound Guidance

I will be removing a piece of glass(deep) on Friday with ultrasound guidance. What is the correct way to bill this?

Depending on the complexity of the removal of the piece of glass from the patient’s foot, one of the three procedure codes would be appropriate for the surgery:

• 28190 (Removal of foreign body, foot; subcutaneous)
• 28192 (Removal of foreign body, foot; deep)
• 28193 (Removal of foreign body, foot; complicated)

The procedure should be coded with a -LT or -RT modifier to specify what foot the glass was removed from.