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    v1.0.31
    OpenPayerBilling CodesIntroduction or Removal Procedures on the Forearm and WristCPT cpt-25248-forearm-wrist-deep-foreign-body-removal
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    CPT 25248: Removal of Deep Foreign Body, Forearm or Wrist

    Medicare pays $417 on average nationally for this procedure.

    CPT code 25248 describes surgical removal of a deeply embedded foreign body from the forearm or wrist, a procedure typically performed in an operating room or ambulatory surgical center for traumatic injuries that penetrate soft tissue and may involve exploration and debridement of the wound; this is a minor to intermediate soft-tissue surgical service focused on extraction of the object and management of the surrounding tissues under appropriate anesthesia.

    For related coverage guidance, see recent payer policy updates: Implants for Joint Pain, Bone Lengthening (Distraction Osteogenesis), Orthopedic Applications of Stem Cell Therapy.

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    Table of contents

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    Clinical & Coding Specifications

    Clinical Context

    A 28-year-old male presents to the emergency department after falling on broken glass while cutting cardboard. He reports increasing pain, swelling, and inability to move his wrist extension. Physical exam identifies a deeply embedded fragment palpable in the volar forearm proximal to the wrist with point tenderness, small puncture wound, and limited range of motion. Neurovascular exam is intact but there is concern for tendon irritation. Plain radiographs show a radiopaque foreign body within the soft tissues of the distal forearm. The patient is consented for removal of a deeply embedded foreign body under regional block or local anesthesia with possible sedation.

    The clinical workflow includes triage and initial wound care, imaging (plain radiograph and, if needed, ultrasound or CT for non-radiopaque fragments), informed consent, pre-procedure checklist, anesthesia (local or brachial plexus block), surgical exploration of the wound, meticulous dissection to locate and remove the foreign body, irrigation and debridement as indicated, wound closure or delayed closure per contamination, tetanus update if needed, post-procedure neurovascular reassessment, and documentation of the removed object, procedure performed, anesthesia, and findings. Typical setting is an emergency department or ambulatory surgical center; outpatient operating room may be used for complex removals.

    Related CPT Codes

    CPT CodeDescriptionRelationship to This Procedure
    10120Removal of foreign body, subcutaneous tissues; simple (e.g., needle, splinter)Performed for superficial foreign bodies; may be billed instead of 25248 when the object is not deeply embedded.
    20526Injection, therapeutic, of tendon sheath, single or multiple; forearm/wristMay be performed later for tenosynovitis if tendon irritation persists after removal.
    20610Aspiration and/or injection of a major joint or bursa; therapeutic (e.g., wrist joint)May be used for diagnostic or therapeutic aspiration if joint involvement or septic arthritis is suspected in conjunction with foreign body injury.
    26010Incision and drainage, deep abscess, forearm; and/or explorationPerformed when infected foreign bodies require more extensive incision, drainage, and exploration beyond simple removal.
    20550Injection, therapeutic, tendon sheath; small jointMay accompany management of secondary soft tissue issues after removal.
    64415Nerve block, upper extremity; brachial plexus, single injectionUsed for regional anesthesia to facilitate removal of a deeply embedded foreign body in the forearm/wrist.

    Related Modifiers

    12 rows

    ModifierDescriptionWhen to Use
    25CPT modifier 25 indicates that on the same day as another procedure or service, the same physician or other qualified health care professional provided a significant, separately identifiable…- When to apply: Use modifier 25 only on an E/M code to indicate the same provider delivered a significant, separately identifiable E/M service on the same day as another procedure or service — i.e.,…
    26Modifier 26 (Professional Component) identifies and bills only the professional portion of a split service — the physician’s interpretation, report, and medical judgment — when the technical…- Use CPT Modifier -26 when you are billing only the professional component (PC) of a split‑bill eligible service—i.e., you performed the physician interpretation, medical judgment and prepared a…
    50Modifier –50 (Bilateral Procedure) is appended to a CPT code when an identical procedure is performed on paired anatomical structures during the same operative session. The AMA states to add…- Use modifier -50 when the same CPT surgical, diagnostic, or radiology procedure is performed on paired anatomical structures (both sides of the body) during the same operative/session by the same…
    52Modifier ‑52 (Reduced Services) indicates that a service or procedure was partially reduced or omitted at the provider’s discretion, allowing reporting of the basic procedure number with a qualifier…- Use modifier -52 when a physician or qualified health professional electively reduces or omits part of a procedure or service (for example, performing fewer required views or omitting a portion of…
    53Modifier 53 (Discontinued Procedure) signals that a surgical or diagnostic service was begun by the physician but terminated because of extenuating circumstances that threatened the patient’s…- Use modifier -53 when a physician/qualified healthcare professional has started a surgical or diagnostic procedure (e.g., anesthesia administered, incision or scope insertion) and then discontinues…
    54Modifier ‑54 (“Surgical care only”) is appended to a CPT surgical procedure when the reporting surgeon performs the intraoperative (surgical) component but does not furnish the preoperative and/or…- Use modifier -54 when the reporting surgeon provided only the intraoperative (surgical) component of a procedure and preoperative and/or postoperative management has been or will be provided by…
    55Modifier –55 indicates the billing provider furnished only postoperative management for a procedure that has a global surgical period. According to AAPC, this modifier is appended to the same CPT…- Use modifier -55 when billing the same CPT surgical code that has a 10- or 90-day global period and you, as a provider other than the original surgeon, furnished ONLY postoperative management (no…
    62Modifier 62 indicates that two surgeons function as co‑surgeons, each performing distinct parts of the same primary surgical procedure. It is appended to the primary procedure code (and any…- Use modifier -62 when two surgeons act as co‑surgeons (both primary surgeons) on a single definitive primary procedure, each performing distinct parts of the same surgical procedure (append -62 to…
    66Modifier 66 (Surgical Team) is used when three or more surgeons act as primary surgeons on a single, highly complex procedure. The AMA defines it for use when a surgical team — often composed of…- Use modifier 66 when three or more surgeons act as primary surgeons working collaboratively as a surgical team on a single, highly complex or difficult procedure (for example organ…
    76Modifier -76, Repeat Procedure or Service by Same Physician or Other Qualified Health Care Professional, is appended when the same provider performs an identical, medically necessary procedure or…- Use modifier -76 when the same physician or other qualified health care professional performs an identical procedure or service a second (or subsequent) time on the same date of service and the…

    Showing 1–10 of 12

    Related Provider Taxonomies

    8 rows

    Taxonomy Code
    207P00000X
    207L00000X
    207K00000X
    207R00000X
    246Z00000X
    273Y00000X
    207U00000X
    364SP0807X

    Related ICD-10-CM Codes

    16 rows

    ICD-10-CM CodeDescription
    S50.811AAbrasion of right forearm, initial encounter
    S50.911AUnspecified superficial injury of right forearm, initial encounter
    S51.011ALaceration without foreign body of right elbow, initial encounter
    S51.021ALaceration with foreign body of right elbow, initial encounter
    S51.811ALaceration without foreign body of right forearm, initial encounter
    S51.821ALaceration with foreign body of right forearm, initial encounter
    S56.011AStrain of flexor muscle, fascia and tendon of right thumb at forearm level, initial encounter
    S56.111AStrain of flexor muscle, fascia and tendon of right index finger at forearm level, initial encounter
    S58.012AComplete traumatic amputation at elbow level, left arm, initial encounter
    S58.022APartial traumatic amputation at elbow level, left arm, initial encounter

    Showing 1–10 of 16

    Related Payer Policy Updates

    Specialty: Orthopedics/Musculoskeletal1 / 2

    10 rows

    PolicyPayerEffective Date
    Implants for Joint PainBlue Cross Blue Shield - Rhode Island2027-03-01
    Bone Lengthening (Distraction Osteogenesis)regence2027-01-01
    Orthopedic Applications of Stem Cell TherapyBlue Cross Blue Shield - Rhode Island2027-01-01
    Bone Lengthening (Distraction Osteogenesis)Blue Cross Blue Shield - North Dakota2027-01-01
    Orthopedic Joint Procedures of the Knee for Managed Medicaid (MMC), Health and Recovery Plan (HARP), Child Health Plus (CHP), and Essential Plan (EP) Membersuniverahealthcare2027-01-01
    Sacroiliac Joint Fusion for the Treatment of Adult Low-Back Pain Medical PolicyHealth-New-England2026-12-01
    Bone Grafts and Stabilization Devices for Spinal Defects - Medical PolicyHealth-New-England2026-12-01
    Implantable Shock Absorbers for Treatment of Knee Osteoarthritisblue cross blue shield - louisiana2026-12-01
    Autologous Chondrocyte Transplantation or Implantation Corporate Medical Policybcbsvermont2026-12-01
    Cartilage Implants for Joint Painpremerabluecrossofwashington2026-11-06

    Related Codes

    CPT-25246-WRIST-ARTHROGRAPHY-CONTRAST-INJECTION

    CPT 25246: Wrist Arthrography, Contrast Injection

    CPT-25250-REMOVAL-ARTIFICIAL-WRIST-JOINT

    CPT 25250: Removal of Implanted Artificial Wrist Joint

    CPT-25251-WRIST-ARTHROPLASTY-EXPLANTATION-COMPLICATED-DISSECTION

    CPT 25251: Removal of Implanted Artificial Wrist Joint, Complex

    CPT-25259-WRIST-MANIPULATION-UNDER-GENERAL-ANESTHESIA

    CPT 25259: Wrist Manipulation Under Anesthesia for Joint Stiffness

    Frequently Asked Questions

    References

    1. 1.CPT® Codes and Descriptions. AAPC. Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.Maintains the CPT code set's official descriptions and guidelines, licensed from the American Medical Association, used as the definitional source for CPT codes on this page.
    2. 2.HCPCS Quarterly Update. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.CMS's quarterly release of HCPCS Level II codes and short/long descriptors, the source for HCPCS code definitions and update history.
    3. 3.ICD-10-CM Full Code List. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.CMS's complete ICD-10-CM diagnosis code list, used to cross-reference diagnosis codes associated with this procedure or service.
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