Q&A Nonunion Fracture

[JoyceC]

We are seeing a new patient for a nonunion fracture and there is no initial encounter for a nonunion, do we use the subsequent encounter code. He had an initial encounter with another provider outside of our practice.

 

[Lisa P]

I think you would still use the subsequent encounter code! Someone correct me if I am wrong please?

 

[Ruth Sheets]

The fracture codes have extra 7th digit possibilities. You need to look at what applies for whatever type of fracture it was. For example, if a new patient has a nonunion fracture of the forearm, S52.-, consider which of the following 7th digits applies:

K subsequent encounter for closed fracture with nonunion
M subsequent encounter for open fracture type I or II with nonunion
N subsequent encounter for open fracture type IIIA, IIIB or IIIC with nonunion