The January installment of “Spotlight on CPT” will cover the topic of closed nasal bone fractures. With the 2022 CPT code updates, there are several changes which affect the coding of closed nasal bone fractures. Let’s start by looking at a code that has been deleted with this update.
Code 21310 is the code which has been deleted, effective January 1, 2022. The definition of this code had been “Closed treatment of nasal bone fracture without manipulation”. In the updated CPT Manual, there is a note stating that the code has been deleted, and if closed treatment of a nasal bone fracture was performed without manipulation or stabilization, then an appropriate E&M code should be assigned.
This is a significant change, and elimination of code 21310 produces a cascade effect on the next two codes, 21315 and 21320. These codes are revised with the incorporation of the term manipulation into their definitions.
Code 21315 is now defined as “Closed treatment of nasal bone fracture, with manipulation; without stabilization. The definition of code 21320 is “Closed treatment of nasal bone fracture, with manipulation; with stabilization.
Coding professionals will recall that Manipulation is synonymous with Reduction in CPT coding. Both mean applying manual force or traction in order to correct the alignment of a fracture or dislocation. Stabilization of nasal fractures can be accomplished with a splint or internal packing.
It is worth noting that the code changes for nasal fractures only impact those undergoing closed treatment. No changes have been made for open treatment of nasal or nasal septal fractures.
Now, light has been shed on coding of closed nasal fractures.
About the Author
Dianna Foley, RHIA, CHPS, CCS, CDIP is
OHIMA's Coding Education Coordinator. Dianna has been an HIM
professional for 20 years. She progressed through the ranks of coder,
department supervisor, and department director, to her current role as a
coding consultant. She recently served as the program director for Medical Coding and HIT at Eastern Gateway Community College. Dianna earned her bachelor's degree from the University of Cincinnati subsequently achieving her RHIA, CHPS, and CCS certifications. She is an AHIMA Approved ICD-10-CM/PCS Trainer and a a presenter at regional HIM meetings and the OHIMA Annual Meeting.
