Summary & Overview
CPT 24566: Percutaneous Fixation of Epicondylar Humerus Fracture
CPT code 24566 represents closed reduction and percutaneous fixation of an epicondylar fracture of the humerus, a procedure used to realign and stabilize small bony prominences near the elbow using pins or wires placed through the skin. This code is relevant nationally for orthopedic and trauma practices, ambulatory surgical centers, and hospitals that manage elbow fractures, as it captures a common minimally invasive operative technique for select pediatric and adult fractures.
Key payers covered in this analysis include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find a concise overview of clinical context, typical sites of service, and the procedural elements that define the code. The publication presents benchmarks and billing considerations, clarifies coding scope for percutaneous closed fixation of epicondylar humerus fractures, and highlights policy and reimbursement topics that commonly affect coding and claims processing for these procedures.
The content is intended to help coding professionals, orthopedic clinicians, and revenue cycle staff understand where CPT code 24566 applies, what clinical scenarios it describes, and which payers commonly adjudicate claims for this service. Data not available in the input are noted where applicable.
Billing Code Overview
CPT code 24566 describes a percutaneous fixation of an epicondylar fracture of the humerus. The procedure involves closed manipulation to realign the epicondylar fragment followed by insertion of pins or wires through the skin into the bone to maintain reduction.
Service Type: Percutaneous fracture fixation (closed reduction with percutaneous pinning)
Typical Site of Service: Ambulatory surgery center or hospital operating room, including perioperative care in the procedural unit or recovery area
Clinical & Coding Specifications
Clinical Context
A typical patient is an adolescent or adult who presents to the emergency department or orthopedic clinic after a fall onto an outstretched hand or a direct blow to the elbow and is diagnosed with a displaced epicondylar fracture of the humerus. Initial evaluation includes focused history, neurovascular exam of the ipsilateral hand, and elbow radiographs (AP/lateral). When closed reduction is indicated but fracture stability requires fixation, the patient is taken to a procedure area (emergency department, ambulatory surgery center, or operating room). Under regional or general anesthesia, the provider performs a closed manipulation to realign the epicondylar fragment and places percutaneous pins or Kirschner wires through the skin into the bone to maintain reduction. Post-procedure workflow includes immobilization in a splint or cast, post-op radiographs to confirm alignment, neurovascular reassessment, pain control, and outpatient follow-up for pin removal and rehabilitation. Typical sites of service are the emergency department, ambulatory surgical center, or hospital operating room, depending on patient stability, anesthesia needs, and concurrent injuries.
Coding Specifications
| Modifier | Description | When to Use |
|---|---|---|
22 | Increased procedural services | Use when the procedure required substantially greater work than typical due to complexity (document increased work). |