Summary & Overview
CPT 28476: Percutaneous Metatarsal Fracture Fixation with Screws and Pins
CPT code 28476 represents percutaneous fixation of a metatarsal fracture using screws and pins, with manipulation or adjustment of the bone. This code captures a common orthopedic procedure to restore alignment and stability of the metatarsal bones and is relevant for hospitals, ambulatory surgery centers, and orthopedic practices nationwide. It matters nationally because metatarsal fractures are frequent injuries from trauma and sports, and correct coding is essential for consistent claims processing and quality tracking.
Key payers covered in this analysis include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find a concise overview of the clinical context of the procedure, typical sites of service, and the types of documentation elements that support CPT code 28476. The publication also summarizes common billing modifiers encountered with operative orthopedic procedures and outlines areas where policy updates and coverage criteria commonly affect authorization and reimbursement. Clinical context covers indications for percutaneous fixation versus conservative care or open fixation, and operational context discusses typical care settings and imaging support used during the procedure.
This resource is intended to help revenue cycle, coding, and clinical staff understand the code’s clinical meaning, common billing considerations, and where to focus documentation to support claims. Data not available in the input: specific associated taxonomies, ICD-10 diagnoses, related codes, and payer-specific coverage rules.
Billing Code Overview
CPT code 28476 describes percutaneous fixation of a metatarsal fracture with screws and pins, including manipulation or adjustment of the fractured bone. The procedure targets one of the five metatarsal bones of the foot and is performed through small skin punctures rather than an open incision.
Service type: Surgical — percutaneous internal fixation / orthopedic fracture fixation
Typical site of service: Outpatient surgical center or hospital operating room, commonly performed under regional or general anesthesia with appropriate imaging guidance.
Clinical & Coding Specifications
Clinical Context
A 32-year-old recreational soccer player presents to the emergency department after an acute forefoot injury with swelling, focal dorsal pain, and inability to bear weight on the right foot. Radiographs demonstrate a displaced fracture of the second metatarsal shaft with rotational deformity. The orthopedic foot and ankle surgeon performs closed reduction and percutaneous fixation of the metatarsal fracture using screws and Kirschner wires under fluoroscopic guidance. The procedure is performed in an ambulatory surgical center under monitored anesthesia care. Postoperative care includes a short-leg splint or boot, weight-bearing as tolerated per fixation stability, wound checks, and scheduled radiographic follow-up to confirm healing and hardware position.
Coding Specifications
| Modifier | Description | When to Use |
|---|---|---|
RT | Right side | When the procedure is performed on the right foot |
LT | Left side | When the procedure is performed on the left foot |
50 |