Summary & Overview
CPT 28119: Calcaneus Resection with Possible Plantar Fascial Release
CPT code 28119 represents surgical resection of the calcaneus, often performed to address severe heel pain, deformity, infection, or other structural problems. The procedure may include a plantar fascial release to improve range of motion and reduce pain. Nationwide, this code is relevant for hospital and ambulatory surgical billing and for payers managing orthopedic and podiatric surgical benefit policies. Key payers covered in this analysis include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare.
Readers will find a concise clinical context for when the service is used, typical sites of service, and the service line classification as surgical orthopedics/podiatry. The publication summarizes common billing modifiers and flags areas where policy variation among major payers can affect claim adjudication. Benchmarks and policy updates are discussed to inform revenue cycle, coding compliance, and utilization review teams. Clinical context clarifies the procedure scope (calcaneus resection with optional plantar fascial release) and typical care settings, helping readers align documentation with coding and coverage requirements. Data not available in the input is noted where applicable.
Billing Code Overview
CPT code 28119 describes a surgical procedure involving removal of the calcaneus (the heel bone). The procedure may include a plantar fascial release if necessary to relieve pain and improve range of motion. This is a major foot surgery that targets chronic heel pain, deformity, infection, or other indications requiring partial or complete resection of the calcaneus.
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Service type: Surgical orthopedics / podiatric surgery
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Typical site of service: Hospital operating room or ambulatory surgical center
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Clinical & Coding Specifications
Clinical Context
A 58-year-old patient with chronic, debilitating hindfoot pain refractory to conservative management presents for surgical intervention. Imaging demonstrates end-stage post-traumatic arthrosis and osteomyelitis localized to the calcaneus with collapse and persistent infection despite antibiotics, and the patient reports severe pain limiting ambulation. The orthopedic or podiatric surgeon performs a partial or total calcanectomy (28119) to remove the diseased calcaneus; a plantar fascial release may be performed intraoperatively if plantar contracture contributes to heel pain or limits forefoot alignment. The clinical workflow includes preoperative evaluation with history and physical, targeted radiographs and CT or MRI to define bone loss and soft-tissue involvement, preoperative infection workup when indicated, informed consent documenting potential outcomes and limb-sparing goals, perioperative antibiotic management if infection is present, intraoperative documentation of the extent of bone resection and any additional procedures (for example, plantar fascial release), and postoperative plans for wound care, immobilization, weight-bearing status, and referral to physical therapy and prosthetic or orthotic services as needed. Typical site of service is an inpatient hospital operating room for complex or infected cases or an ambulatory surgery center for selected elective resections. Service type is major surgical procedure of the musculoskeletal/orthopedic system focused on the calcaneus and adjacent soft tissues.
Coding Specifications
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