Summary & Overview
CPT 25360: Excision of Segment of Ulna for Forearm Deformity
CPT code 25360 designates surgical excision of a segment of the ulna to correct forearm angular deformities. This orthopedic operative code is used when a provider removes part of the ulna to realign the forearm, address malunion or congenital or acquired deformities, and improve function and alignment. Nationally, this code is relevant to hospital-based and ambulatory surgical settings where upper-extremity reconstructive procedures are performed.
Key payers covered in typical analyses include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find clinical context for the procedure, expected sites of service, common billing modifiers (list provided in input), and notes on documentation elements that commonly support medical necessity. The publication outlines benchmarking and reimbursement considerations, typical service lines, and coding-related caveats relevant to orthopedic surgeons, coding professionals, and billing analysts.
This summary provides a concise reference for what CPT code 25360 represents, who pays for it at a national level, and what information the full publication will cover regarding coding, clinical context, and administrative considerations. Data not available in the input will be noted in specific sections of the full report.
Billing Code Overview
CPT code 25360 describes surgical excision of a segment of the ulna bone to correct forearm conditions such as an angular deformity. This procedure removes a portion of the ulna (ulnar osteotomy/excision) to realign the forearm bones and address structural deformities.
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Service type: Orthopedic surgical procedure
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Typical site of service: Hospital operating room or ambulatory surgical center
Clinical & Coding Specifications
Clinical Context
A typical patient is a 12–40 year-old presenting with progressive forearm deformity, pain, or functional limitation after malunion of a pediatric forearm fracture or congenital angular deformity of the ulna. Evaluation includes history, physical exam demonstrating angular bowing or radial head subluxation, and imaging (AP and lateral forearm radiographs, occasionally CT). Nonoperative management (observation, bracing, physical therapy) is attempted when appropriate. When deformity causes pain, loss of forearm rotation, or cosmetic concern, surgical correction with ulnar osteotomy and excision of a bone segment (25360) is scheduled in the operating room under general or regional anesthesia. Preoperative planning documents the deformity parameters, limb alignment goals, and neurovascular status. Intraoperative steps include exposure of the ulna, measurement of the segment to be excised to achieve correction, osteotomy with segment excision, fixation (plates, screws, or intramedullary devices) as indicated, and radiographic confirmation of alignment. Postoperative care includes immobilization (splint or cast), pain control, wound care, and follow-up radiographs to confirm healing and alignment. Typical sites of service are hospital inpatient or outpatient surgical center (ASC). Common payors include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, BUCA, and Medicare.
Coding Specifications
| Modifier | Description | When to Use |
|---|---|---|
LT | Left side |