Summary & Overview
CPT 28108: Excision of Bone Cyst or Benign Tumor, Foot Phalanges
CPT code 28108 represents the surgical excision of a bone cyst or benign tumor from the phalanges of the foot. This operative code captures targeted removal of localized osseous lesions within the toe bones and is relevant to foot and ankle surgeons, orthopedists, and podiatrists. Nationally, accurate coding for these procedures affects clinical documentation, payer adjudication, and facility resource planning for outpatient surgical services.
Key payers included in this analysis are Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find an overview of what the code denotes clinically and operationally, common payer coverage considerations, and the types of benchmarking and policy topics typically associated with surgical foot procedures. The content outlines expected sites of service and service type, and identifies common areas where coding specificity impacts reimbursement and claims processing.
The publication provides benchmarks and comparative guidance on claims handling, highlights policy updates that commonly affect musculoskeletal procedure coding, and offers clinical context that clarifies when this code is typically reported. Data not supplied in the input (such as specific payer coverage edits, ICD-10 pairings, or taxonomies) is noted as unavailable, and readers should consult payer-specific manuals for claim-level rules.
Billing Code Overview
CPT code 28108 describes the surgical removal of a bone cyst or benign tumor from the phalanges of the foot. This procedure involves excision of a localized osseous lesion within one or more toe bones and may include curettage and local reconstruction as clinically indicated.
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Service type: Surgical excision of bone lesion in the foot
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Typical site of service: Hospital outpatient department or ambulatory surgery center, frequently performed in an operating room or procedure suite under regional or general anesthesia
Clinical & Coding Specifications
Clinical Context
A 28-year-old patient presents to a podiatric surgical clinic with progressive pain and a palpable mass over the proximal phalanx of the second toe after months of intermittent discomfort and recurrent local swelling. Radiographs and MRI demonstrate a benign-appearing lytic bone lesion consistent with a simple bone cyst (unicameral bone cyst) localized to the phalanx without cortical breach. The patient is scheduled for surgical excision and curettage of the cyst under regional block with conscious sedation in an ambulatory surgery center. The workflow includes preoperative imaging review, informed consent, anesthesia evaluation, intraoperative excision of the cyst and curettage of the bony cavity, possible bone grafting or local bone substitute placement if needed, hemostasis, layered closure, sterile dressing and postoperative weight-bearing instructions. Follow-up visits include wound check at 10–14 days and radiographic surveillance at 6–12 weeks to evaluate healing and detect recurrence. Billing uses 28108 for removal of a benign bone cyst or benign tumor of the phalanges of the foot; appropriate modifiers are appended for laterality, professional component, or unusual service circumstances as applicable. Payors commonly involved include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, BUCA, and Medicare.
Coding Specifications
| Modifier | Description | When to Use |
|---|---|---|
50 | Bilateral procedure | When both left and right phalanges undergo cyst excision during the same operative session |