How To Use CPT Code 24925

CPT 24925 describes the procedure for amputation, specifically for the arm through the humerus, involving secondary closure or scar revision. This article will cover the description, procedure, qualifying circumstances, appropriate usage, documentation requirements, billing guidelines, historical information and billing examples.

1. What is CPT Code 24925?

CPT 24925 is a code used to describe the surgical procedure for amputation of the upper limb, specifically through the humerus. This procedure involves secondary closure or scar revision, which means that the provider remodels the skin and muscle structures of an already amputated arm to improve the appearance or address issues such as improper closure or pain due to contracture in the wound.

2. Official Description

The official description of CPT code 24925 is: ‘Amputation, arm through humerus secondary closure or scar revision.’

3. Procedure

During the procedure described by CPT 24925, the provider performs the following steps:

1. The patient is appropriately prepped and anesthetized.
2. The provider excises any dead skin and granulation tissue from the amputation area.
3. To prevent damage to blood vessels and nerves, the provider ligates them and places them inside the wound area.
4. The provider wraps the skin and muscles over the wound, creating skin and muscle flaps.
5. The skin and muscle flaps are sutured in layers to cover the wound and improve its appearance.
6. The wound is irrigated with antibiotics to prevent infection.

4. Qualifying circumstances

CPT 24925 is typically performed when there is a need to revise the scar from a previous amputation or to address issues such as improper closure or pain due to contracture in the wound. It is important to note that this procedure is specific to amputations of the arm through the humerus and does not apply to other types of amputations or locations.

5. When to use CPT code 24925

CPT code 24925 should be used when a provider performs a secondary closure or scar revision for an amputation of the arm through the humerus. It is important to ensure that the procedure performed aligns with the specific details outlined in the code description.

6. Documentation requirements

To support a claim for CPT 24925, the provider must document the following information:

• Reason for the procedure, such as improper closure or pain due to contracture in the wound
• Details of the procedure performed, including any excision of dead skin and granulation tissue
• Specifics of the closure or scar revision, such as the creation of skin and muscle flaps and the suturing technique used
• Any additional procedures or interventions performed during the same session
• Signature of the provider performing the procedure

7. Billing guidelines

When billing for CPT 24925, it is important to ensure that the procedure performed aligns with the specific details outlined in the code description. Additionally, consider the following billing guidelines:

• Do not report CPT 24925 if other amputation procedures on the humerus or elbow (CPT codes 24900-24940) were performed in the previous seven days.
• Ensure accurate documentation and coding of any additional procedures or interventions performed during the same session.

8. Historical information

CPT 24925 was added to the Current Procedural Terminology system on January 1, 1990. There have been no updates to the code since its addition.

9. Similar codes to CPT 24925

There are several similar codes to CPT 24925 that describe different amputation procedures on the humerus or elbow. These include:

• CPT 24900: Amputation, forearm, through radius and ulna; one bone
• CPT 24910: Amputation, forearm, through radius and ulna; both bones
• CPT 24920: Amputation, forearm, through carpus
• CPT 24930: Amputation, hand, through metacarpus
• CPT 24940: Amputation, finger or thumb

9. Examples

Here are some examples of cases where CPT code 24925 may be used:

1. A patient undergoes scar revision for an improperly closed amputation of the arm through the humerus.
2. A provider performs secondary closure to address pain and contracture in the wound following an amputation of the arm through the humerus.
3. A patient undergoes scar revision to improve the appearance of a previously amputated arm through the humerus.