How To Use CPT Code 26587

CPT 26587 describes the reconstruction of a polydactylous digit, involving both soft tissue and bone. This article will cover the official description, procedure, qualifying circumstances, appropriate usage, documentation requirements, billing guidelines, historical information and billing examples.

1. What is CPT Code 26587?

CPT 26587 is used to describe the surgical procedure of reconstructing a polydactylous digit that contains both soft tissue and bone. This code is specifically used when the extra digit needs to be removed, and the surrounding structures, including the bone, require reconstruction.

2. Official Description

The official description of CPT code 26587 is: ‘Reconstruction of polydactylous digit, involving both soft tissue and bone.’

3. Procedure

1. The surgeon begins by preparing and anesthetizing the patient appropriately.
2. An incision is made at the base of the extra digit, extending through the soft tissue and fascia down to the bone.
3. The surgeon then cuts through the bone to remove the supernumerary finger.
4. If necessary, excess skin is excised.
5. Bleeding is controlled, and the skin of the wound is sutured in layers.

4. Qualifying circumstances

CPT 26587 is performed when a patient has a polydactylous digit, meaning they have more than the normal number of digits. The procedure involves the removal of the extra digit, including both the soft tissue and bone. It is important to confirm that the surgeon actually cut into the bone during the procedure to ensure accurate reporting of CPT 26587. If the bone was not cut, and only muscle, tendon, ligament, or other surrounding structures were addressed, then this code should not be reported. In such cases, a different code, such as 11200 for the removal of skin tags, may be more appropriate.

5. When to use CPT code 26587

CPT code 26587 should be used when a surgeon performs the reconstruction of a polydactylous digit, involving both soft tissue and bone. It is important to ensure that the procedure involved the removal of the extra digit and reconstruction of the surrounding structures, including the bone. If the bone was not addressed during the procedure, a different code should be used.

6. Documentation requirements

To support a claim for CPT 26587, the surgeon must document the following information:

• Patient’s diagnosis of a polydactylous digit
• Description of the procedure performed, including the removal of the extra digit and reconstruction of soft tissue and bone
• Date of the procedure
• Details of the incision made, including the location and length
• Confirmation of bone involvement during the procedure
• Any additional procedures performed, such as excision of excess skin
• Details of wound closure, including the type of sutures used
• Signature of the surgeon performing the procedure

7. Billing guidelines

When billing for CPT 26587, ensure that the procedure involved the reconstruction of a polydactylous digit, including both soft tissue and bone. It is important to accurately document the bone involvement during the procedure to support the use of this code. Additionally, it is crucial to review the operative report to confirm that the surgeon actually cut into the bone. CPT 26587 should not be reported if the bone was not addressed. It is also important to follow any specific guidelines provided by the payer or coding guidelines for accurate billing.

8. Historical information

CPT 26587 was added to the Current Procedural Terminology system on January 1, 1990, with the description ‘Reconstruction of supernumerary digit, soft tissue and bone.’ On January 1, 2002, the code description was changed to ‘Reconstruction of polydactylous digit, soft tissue and bone.’

9. Examples

1. A surgeon performs the reconstruction of a polydactylous digit, involving both soft tissue and bone, in a patient with an extra finger on their hand.
2. During the procedure, the surgeon removes the supernumerary digit and reconstructs the surrounding structures, including the bone, in a patient with a polydactylous digit.
3. A patient with more than the normal number of digits undergoes surgery to remove the extra digit and reconstruct the soft tissue and bone.
4. The surgeon performs the reconstruction of a polydactylous digit, involving both soft tissue and bone, in a patient with a congenital anomaly.
5. During the procedure, the surgeon addresses the polydactylous digit, removing the extra digit and reconstructing the soft tissue and bone to restore normal anatomy.
6. A patient with a polydactylous digit undergoes surgery to correct the anomaly, involving the removal of the extra digit and reconstruction of the surrounding structures.
7. The surgeon performs the reconstruction of a polydactylous digit, involving both soft tissue and bone, in a patient with functional limitations due to the extra digit.
8. During the procedure, the surgeon removes the supernumerary digit and reconstructs the soft tissue and bone to improve the patient’s hand function.
9. A patient with a polydactylous digit seeks surgical intervention to remove the extra digit and reconstruct the surrounding structures, including the bone.
10. The surgeon performs the reconstruction of a polydactylous digit, involving both soft tissue and bone, to improve the patient’s hand aesthetics and function.