Summary & Overview
CPT 28232: Open Incision of Single Toe Flexor Tendon
CPT code 28232 documents an open incision into or through a single flexor tendon of the toe performed as part of a more extensive surgical procedure. Nationally, accurate capture of this code matters for surgical billing specificity, operative reporting, and proper allocation of surgical work in toe and forefoot procedures. Clear use of the code supports clinical documentation, coder accuracy, and payer adjudication for bundled or component-based payments.
Key payers covered in this overview include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find a concise explanation of the code’s clinical intent and typical settings, plus an outline of what to expect in a full publication: national benchmarks for utilization and reimbursement, common billing and coding considerations, and relevant policy or coverage updates affecting payment and claims processing. The publication also places the code in clinical context within forefoot and toe surgeries where tendon access is required.
Data not provided in the input (such as associated taxonomies, ICD-10 pairings, and payer-specific allowance figures) are noted as unavailable; the full report will present benchmark trends, payer rules, and clinical scenarios when those data are available.
Billing Code Overview
CPT code 28232 describes an open incision into or through a single flexor tendon of the toe performed as part of a more extensive procedure. The code documents a discrete surgical component in which the provider intentionally cuts into a flexor tendon of a toe to gain access, perform repair, release, or other definitive work within a larger operative field.
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Service type: Surgical, tendon incision component performed during a larger operative procedure
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Typical site of service: Inpatient or outpatient surgical setting, including hospital operating room or ambulatory surgery center
Data not available in the input.
Clinical & Coding Specifications
Clinical Context
A typical patient is a 45–70-year-old adult presenting with chronic painful hammertoe or rigid toe deformity with associated pain, callus, or ulceration over the dorsal or plantar aspect of the toe. Conservative measures (shoe modification, splints, topical care) have failed. The patient is scheduled for an operative reconstruction of the toe, such as arthroplasty, joint resection, or tendon procedure. During the open operative exposure, the surgeon performs a limited cut into or through a single flexor tendon of the toe (28232) as part of tendon lengthening, tenotomy, or to facilitate digital realignment and correction of deformity. The procedure occurs in an ambulatory surgical center or hospital outpatient department under regional or general anesthesia. Preoperative workflow includes history and exam, informed consent, preoperative marking, and local perioperative antibiotics. Postoperative workflow includes dressing and splinting, weight-bearing instructions, wound checks, and follow-up visits for suture removal and rehabilitation as indicated.
Coding Specifications
| Modifier | Description | When to Use |
|---|---|---|
52 | Reduced services | Use when the procedure is partially reduced or not completed as originally planned. |