How To Use CPT Code 64831

CPT 64831 describes the procedure of suturing a digital nerve in the hand or foot. This article will cover the official description, the step-by-step procedure, qualifying circumstances, appropriate usage, documentation requirements, billing guidelines, historical information and billing examples.

1. What is CPT Code 64831?

CPT 64831 can be used to describe the surgical repair of a digital nerve in the hand or foot. This code is used when a healthcare provider sutures the nerve to restore sensory and/or motor functions that have been damaged or severed due to injury or trauma.

2. Official Description

The official description of CPT code 64831 is: ‘Suture of digital nerve, hand or foot; 1 nerve.’

3. Procedure

1. The healthcare provider accesses the digital nerve through an open wound or makes an incision in the skin and subcutaneous tissue to expose the nerve.
2. They carefully dissect down to identify the injured structure and debride the wound if necessary.
3. The damaged ends of the nerve are trimmed to expose healthy tissue.
4. Using high power magnification, the provider sutures the healthy nerve ends together without creating tension.
5. If the damaged nerve has both motor and sensory functions, a group of nerve fibers may be gathered and sutured together.
6. Finally, the wound or incision is closed.

4. Qualifying circumstances

CPT 64831 is performed when a digital nerve in the hand or foot needs to be repaired. This procedure is typically done when the nerve has been damaged or severed due to injury or trauma. The healthcare provider must carefully identify the injured structure and ensure that the surrounding structures are not injured during the dissection and suturing process.

5. When to use CPT code 64831

CPT code 64831 should be used when a healthcare provider performs the suturing of a digital nerve in the hand or foot. It is important to note that this code is specific to the repair of one nerve. If multiple digital nerves are sutured, additional codes should be used.

6. Documentation requirements

To support a claim for CPT 64831, the healthcare provider must document the following information:

• The specific digital nerve repaired
• The approach used to access the nerve (open wound or incision)
• Details of any debridement performed
• The technique used to suture the nerve ends together
• Any additional procedures performed, such as suturing of motor and sensory nerve fibers
• Closure method for the wound or incision

7. Billing guidelines

When billing for CPT 64831, ensure that the procedure involves the suturing of a digital nerve in the hand or foot. It is important to report this code accurately and not to report it without first reporting the primary procedure. Additional codes should be used if multiple digital nerves are repaired.

8. Historical information

CPT 64831 was added to the Current Procedural Terminology system on January 1, 1990. The code underwent a change on January 1, 2009, with the description being updated to ‘Suture of digital nerve, hand or foot; one nerve.’

9. Examples

1. A surgeon suturing a digital nerve in the hand that was damaged in a traumatic injury.
2. A podiatrist repairing a severed digital nerve in the foot caused by a laceration.
3. An orthopedic surgeon suturing a digital nerve in the hand that was injured during a sports-related accident.
4. A plastic surgeon repairing a damaged digital nerve in the foot following a surgical procedure.
5. A hand surgeon suturing a digital nerve in the hand that was severed in a workplace accident.
6. A neurosurgeon repairing a damaged digital nerve in the foot caused by a motor vehicle accident.
7. An orthopedic surgeon suturing a digital nerve in the hand that was injured during a fall.
8. A podiatrist repairing a severed digital nerve in the foot caused by a sharp object.
9. A plastic surgeon suturing a digital nerve in the hand that was damaged during a cosmetic procedure.
10. An orthopedic surgeon repairing a damaged digital nerve in the foot following a fracture.