(2022) Foreign Body Removal CPT Codes & Coding Guidelines

Foreign body removal CPT codes vary depending on the area of the body that is affected.

A foreign body is an object that is not naturally found in the body, such as a bullet, metal, wood, or it can be made up of any material that has penetrated the body due to accident, injury, or another reason.

Read on to learn which foreign body removal CPT code is applicable to your case.

Foreign Body Removal CPT Description

If a foreign body is not removed and remains in the body can cause inflammation, infection, or allergic reaction and must be removed from the body by a procedure or object.

In some cases, the physician’s incision the targeted site to remove the foreign object or material. The incision can be made in three ways.

If a foreign body is in subcutaneous skin, a simple procedure is required, but it reaches down to the fatty layer, then the deep procedure is required.

The procedure can be complicated if the foreign body is near somebody’s organs or bone and can damage the body’s normal functions. There are separate CPT codes for each type of procedure code, such as simple, deep, or complicated.

CPT codes are normally included in major or complex procedures for foreign object extraction, or some foreign body removal is reported separately. These are the most frequently done procedures mentioned below:

CPT Code 55120

CPT 55120 is used to report for service when extraction of the foreign body is performed on the Scrotum region.

CPT 28190, CPT 28192, & CPT 28193

CP 28190, 28192, and 28193 are used to report for services when service when extraction of the foreign body is performed on foot, and the procedure can be simple, deep, and complicated, respectively.

CPT Code 42809

CPT 42809 is used to report for service when removal of the foreign body is performed on Pharynx.

CPT Code 23330 And CPT 23333

CPT 23330 or 23333 are used to report for services when removing the foreign body is performed on the shoulder, and the procedure can be simple and complicated, respectively.

CPT 31511, CPT 31530 & CPT 31531

CPT codes 31511, 31530, and 31531 are used to report services when the extraction of the foreign body is performed on the Larynx direct, indirect, non-Operative, or operative and sometimes with the telescope.

CPT 32151 Or CPT 32150

CPT codes 32151 or 32150 are used to report for service when removal of the foreign body is performed on the chest region (intrapulmonary or intrapleural) along with Thoracotomy.

CPT 45307

CPT code 45307 is used to report for service when extraction of the foreign body is performed with Proctosigmoidoscopy.

CPT 43500

CPT code 43500 is used to report for service when removal of the foreign body is performed with Gastrotomy.

CPT 30300, CPT 30310 or CPT 30320

CPT codes 30300, 30310, or 30320 are used to report for services when extraction of the foreign body is performed on the nose, which may or may not require anesthesia or can be performed by lateral rhinotomy.

CPT 27086 Or CPT 27087

CPT codes 27086 or 27087 are used to report services when extraction of the foreign body is performed on the hip or Pelvis, and the procedure can be simple and complicated, respectively.

CPT 49402

CPT code 49402 is used to report for service when extraction of the foreign body is performed on the peritoneal cavity.

CPT 20520 Or CPT 20525

CPT codes 20520 or CPT 20525 are used to report services when removal of the foreign body is performed on muscle or tendon sheath, and the procedure can be simple, deep, or complicated, respectively.

CPT 25248

CPT code 25248 is used to report for service when extraction of the foreign body is performed on the wrist along with exploration.

CPT 40805 Or CPT 40804

CPT code 40805 or CPT 40804 is to report for service when removal of the foreign body is performed on the vestibule of the mouth, and the procedure can be deep or complicated.

CPT 10120 Or CPT 10121

CPT code 10120 or CPT 10121 to report for service when extraction of the foreign body is performed on subcutaneous tissue.

TIP: You can find the complete billing guide for CPT 10120 here.

Billing Guidelines

Foreign body removal CPT codes can be part of the most complex procedure and are not reported separately.

Foreign body removal can also be done by endoscopic procedures and can be part of the endoscopic procedure, and cannot be reported separately.

Foreign body removal can be done with or without anesthesia; therefore, check the appropriate CPT code that includes anesthesia.

The deep or complicated procedure requires moderate sedation, and it will be reported separately with 99152-99153 CPT code and foreign object removal CPT codes.

If foreign object removal is along with penetrated wound, then penetrated wound will be reported separately with appropriate codes.

Documentation should mention the type of foreign body, shape, size such as plastic, metal, wood, etc., and the depth of the foreign body to identify the severity of the procedure code.

Modifier 51 will be reported when the physician does multiple foreign body removal.

Foreign Body Removal CPT Reimbursement

Foreign body removal CPT codes costs are normally included in major or complex procedures for foreign object removals. For example, the cost and RUVS of the most frequently done procedures are as follows:

CPT 55120:
The cost and RUVS of CPT 55120, when performed in facility or non-facility, will be $388.46 and 11.22525.

CPT 28190:
When performed in the facility, the cost, and RUVS of CPT 28190 will be $146.45 and 4.23188. Non-facility will be $282.26 and 8.15638.

CPT 28192:
When performed in the facility, the cost, and RUVS of CPT 28192 will be $343.47 and 9.92502. Non-facility will be $526.04 and 15.20077.

CPT 28193:
When performed in the facility, the cost, and RUVS of CPT 28193 will be 403.67 and 11.66459. Non-facility will be $593.56 and 17.15184.

CPT 23330:
When performed in the facility, the cost, and RUVS of CPT 23330 will be $187.29 and 5.41193. Non-facility will be $354.81 and 10.25293.

CPT 23333:
When performed in the facility, the cost, and RUVS of CPT 23333 will be $343.47 and 9.92502. Non-facility will be $526.04 and 15.20077.

CPT 23333:
When performed in the facility, the cost, and RUVS of CPT 23333 will be $343.47 and 9.92502. Non-facility will be $526.04 and 15.20077.

CPT 10120:
When performed in the facility, the cost, and RUVS of CPT 10120 will be $116.52 and 3.36690. Non-facility will be $174.26and 5.03540.

CPT 10121:
When performed in the facility, the cost, and RUVS of CPT 10121 will be $202.30 and 5.84575. Non-facility will be $303.14 and 8.75975.

CPT 49402:
When performed in the facility, the cost, and RUVS of CPT 49402 will be $924.21 and 26.70645. Non-facility will be $924.21 and 26.70645.

CPT 20520:
When performed in the facility, the cost, and RUVS of CPT 20520 will be $164.62 and 4.75709. Non-facility will be $25.05 and 7.28334.

CPT 20525:
When performed in the facility, the cost, and RUVS of CPT 20525 will be $272.02 and 27.86040. Non-facility will be $544.86 and 15.74465.

CPT 30300:
When performed in the facility, the cost, and RUVS of CPT 30300 will be $143.63 and 4.15055. Non-facility will be $250.92 and 7.25255.

CPT 30310:
When performed in the facility, the cost, and RUVS of CPT 30310 will be $242.07 and 6.99494. Non-facility will be $242.07 and 6.99494.

CPT 30320:
When performed in the facility, the cost, and RUVS of CPT 30320 will be $569.16 and 16.44677. Non-facility will be $569.16 and 16.44677.

CPT 27086:
When performed in the facility, the cost, and RUVS of CPT 27086 will be 189.09 and 5.46396. Non-facility will be $367.19 and 10.61046.

CPT 27087:
When performed in the facility, the cost, and RUVS of CPT 27087 will be $676.64 and 19.55266. Non-facility will be $676.64 and 19.55266.

Modifiers   

The following list is of modifiers that are applicable with foreign body removal CPT codes: 23, 22, 47, 50, 51, 52, 53, 55, 54, 56, 58, 59, 63, 76, 77, 78, 79, 99, AI, AQ, AR, CC, CR, EY, ET, GA, GC, GJ, GK, GR, GU, GY, GZ, KX, LT, PT, QJ, Q5, Q6, RT, SG, XE, XP, XU, XS. 

Modifier 47 will be appended with foreign body removal CPT codes if anesthesia is given by an assistant or attending surgeon. 

Modifier 59 is applicable with foreign body removal codes. If any other procedure is done in combination with these services that are not normally billed together on the same date of service, then modifier 59 will be appropriate.

At the same time, modifier 51 is applicable when the other procedure is not the component of foreign body removal CPT codes.  

Modifier 23 is applicable with CPT code 64721, or 29848 if general or local anesthesia is given to patients who are normally not required for the procedure.  

Modifier 76 will be attached to foreign body removal codes if service is repeated by the same physician on the same date of service, while modifier 77 if the procedure has been done on the same date service by a different physician, respectively. 

Modifier 78 will be appended with foreign body removal codes if the procedure is repeated with the same condition of the global period. In contrast, modifier 79 is applicable when the procedure is reported for an unrelated condition.

Foreign Body Removal CPT Examples

Below are a few examples of when Foreign object removal CPT codes may be used.

Example 1

The patient presented to the office for an insect inside the ears, and physicians removed the insect from the ear.

Example 2

The patient presented to the emergency department with a shot wound in the abdomen region, and the bullet is still inside. Physicians perform exploratory laparotomy to remove the bullet from the abdomen region. 

Example 3

The patient presents with sharp-pointed wood penetration in the foot while playing football and down to the fatty layer of skin. Next, the physicians perform an incision to the foot and remove the pointed wood inside the foot.

CPT Code For Removal Of Foreign Body From Ear

CPT codes 69200 and 69205 are used to report for removal of foreign object from the ear without and with the administration of general anesthesia, respectively.

CPT Code For Foreign Body Removal From The Eye

Codes 65205 to 65265 are used to report for the removal of a foreign object from the eye.

CPT Code For Removal Of Foreign Body From Foot

CPT codes 28190 to 28193 are used to report removing a foreign body from the foot.

Rectal Foreign Body Removal CPT

CPT code 45915 is used to report removing a foreign body from the rectal area.

CPT Code For Laparoscopic Removal Of Foreign Body From The Abdomen

Codes 49402 will be reported for the removal of a foreign body from the abdomen.

CPT Foreign Body Removal Nose

CPT Codes 30300, 30310, and 30320 will be used to report removing a foreign body from the nose.

Corneal Foreign Body Removal CPT

CPT Codes 65220 or 65222 will be reported to remove the foreign body from the cornea.

Foreign Body Removal Knee CPT

CPT Code 29874 will be reported to remove foreign bodies from the Knee.

CPT Code For Removal Of The Foreign Body Without Incision  

CPT code 10120 usually does not require an incision to remove the foreign body from the skin or subcutaneous tissue, and CPT code 28190 will be reported for the foot without an incision.

Cystoscopy Removal Of Foreign Body CPT Code  

Codes 52310 or 52315 will be reported for cystoscopy removal of foreign body.