Summary & Overview
CPT 25622: Closed Treatment of Scaphoid Fracture, Wrist
CPT code 25622 denotes the closed treatment of a scaphoid wrist fracture without incision or direct manipulation. This code captures nonoperative immobilization-focused management of scaphoid fractures, an important category of upper-extremity musculoskeletal care given the scaphoid’s role in wrist stability and the risk of nonunion or avascular necrosis if not properly managed. Nationally, consistent coding supports appropriate clinical documentation, utilization tracking, and payment alignment for conservative scaphoid care.
Key payers addressed include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. The publication outlines payer coverage patterns and benchmarking where available, but also provides clinical context relevant to coding choices.
Readers will learn: the clinical scope and typical settings for CPT code 25622 (closed, nonoperative scaphoid fracture treatment), how this code fits into musculoskeletal service lines, and what to expect in administrative workflows and claims processing. The brief also highlights common documentation elements that support use of this code and notes when operative or manipulation procedures would require different codes. Data not available in the input will be clearly noted where relevant.
Billing Code Overview
CPT code 25622 describes the closed treatment of a fracture of the scaphoid bone in the wrist where no incision is made and no direct manipulation of the fracture is performed. This procedure is a closed treatment for scaphoid fracture.
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Service type: Closed treatment of fracture (nonoperative immobilization or orthotic-based management)
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Typical site of service: Outpatient clinic, urgent care, or emergency department; may also occur in ambulatory surgery centers when immobilization devices are applied
Data not available in the input.
Clinical & Coding Specifications
Clinical Context
A 28-year-old right-hand–dominant recreational cyclist falls onto an outstretched hand and presents to an ambulatory orthopedic clinic with wrist pain localized to the anatomic snuffbox. Radiographs reveal a non-displaced fracture of the scaphoid confirmed by wrist series. The treating orthopedic surgeon elects nonoperative management without manipulation, applying a thumb spica cast or removable splint. The procedure described by 25622 documents a closed treatment of the scaphoid fracture without incision or manipulation, typically billed for the encounter when reduction is not performed and immobilization is provided.
Typical workflow: initial evaluation in clinic or urgent care, radiographic confirmation, informed consent for closed nonoperative management, application of immobilization (cast or splint), documentation of fracture location and stability, scheduled follow-up imaging at 1–2 weeks and clinic visits to monitor healing, and transition to hand therapy as indicated. Typical site of service is an outpatient orthopedic clinic, urgent care, or ambulatory surgery center if ordered from a procedural setting; the service type is closed fracture treatment without manipulation.
Coding Specifications
| Modifier | Description | When to Use |
|---|---|---|
LT | Left side | Use when the scaphoid fracture is on the left wrist. |