Need help choosing the right code?
Ask CasePilot about procedures, modifiers, bundling, and coding guidance.
Try CasePilot© Copyright 2026 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.
Strapping refers to the application of adhesive tape or similar materials to a specific area of the body, in this case, the thorax. This procedure is primarily utilized to treat soft tissue injuries or to provide support to areas of the thorax that may be vulnerable due to injury or other conditions. The process begins with a thorough evaluation by a physician or physical therapist, who assesses the mechanism of injury and identifies any areas of weakness or vulnerability that require support. Once the evaluation is complete, the thoracic region is carefully taped in a specific configuration designed to offer protection and stability to the affected areas. This method not only aids in the healing process but also helps to prevent further injury by stabilizing the thorax during movement and activity.
© Copyright 2026 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.
The procedure of strapping the thorax is indicated for various conditions and situations where support and protection of the thoracic area are necessary. The following are explicitly provided indications for this procedure:
The procedure of strapping the thorax involves several key steps that ensure effective application and support. Each step is crucial for achieving the desired outcome of protection and stabilization.
Following the strapping procedure, patients are typically advised on care and maintenance of the strapping. This may include instructions on how to keep the area clean and dry, as well as guidance on when to seek further medical attention if there are signs of irritation or if the condition worsens. Patients may also be advised on activity modifications to prevent further injury while the strapping is in place. The expected recovery time can vary based on the severity of the injury and the individual’s overall health, but the strapping is generally intended to provide support during the healing process.
| Short Descr | STRAPPING THORAX | Medium Descr | STRAPPING THORAX | Long Descr | Strapping; thorax | Status Code | Active Code | Global Days | 000 - Endoscopic or Minor Procedure | PC/TC Indicator (26, TC) | 0 - Physician Service Code | Multiple Procedures (51) | 2 - Standard payment adjustment rules for multiple procedures apply. | Bilateral Surgery (50) | 0 - 150% payment adjustment for bilateral procedures does NOT apply. | Physician Supervisions | 09 - Concept does not apply. | Assistant Surgeon (80, 82) | 1 - Statutory payment restriction for assistants at surgery applies to this procedure... | Co-Surgeons (62) | 0 - Co-surgeons not permitted for this procedure. | Team Surgery (66) | 0 - Team surgeons not permitted for this procedure. | Diagnostic Imaging Family | 99 - Concept Does Not Apply | APC Status Indicator | Procedure or Service, Multiple Reduction Applies | ASC Payment Indicator | Office-based surgical procedure added to ASC list in CY 2008 or later with MPFS nonfacility PE RVUs; payment based on MPFS nonfacility PE RVUs. | Type of Service (TOS) | 2 - Surgery | Berenson-Eggers TOS (BETOS) | P6B - Minor procedures - musculoskeletal | MUE | 1 | CCS Clinical Classification | 214 - Traction, splints, and other wound care |
| GP | Services delivered under an outpatient physical therapy plan of care | KX | Requirements specified in the medical policy have been met | 59 | Distinct procedural service: under certain circumstances, it may be necessary to indicate that a procedure or service was distinct or independent from other non-e/m services performed on the same day. modifier 59 is used to identify procedures/services, other than e/m services, that are not normally reported together, but are appropriate under the circumstances. documentation must support a different session, different procedure or surgery, different site or organ system, separate incision/excision, separate lesion, or separate injury (or area of injury in extensive injuries) not ordinarily encountered or performed on the same day by the same individual. however, when another already established modifier is appropriate it should be used rather than modifier 59. only if no more descriptive modifier is available, and the use of modifier 59 best explains the circumstances, should modifier 59 be used. note: modifier 59 should not be appended to an e/m service. to report a separate and distinct e/m service with a non-e/m service performed on the same date, see modifier 25. | GO | Services delivered under an outpatient occupational therapy plan of care | UA | Medicaid level of care 10, as defined by each state | CQ | Outpatient physical therapy services furnished in whole or in part by a physical therapist assistant | GY | Item or service statutorily excluded, does not meet the definition of any medicare benefit or, for non-medicare insurers, is not a contract benefit | 51 | Multiple procedures: when multiple procedures, other than e/m services, physical medicine and rehabilitation services or provision of supplies (eg, vaccines), are performed at the same session by the same individual, the primary procedure or service may be reported as listed. the additional procedure(s) or service(s) may be identified by appending modifier 51 to the additional procedure or service code(s). note: this modifier should not be appended to designated "add-on" codes (see appendix d). | LT | Left side (used to identify procedures performed on the left side of the body) | GX | Notice of liability issued, voluntary under payer policy | 53 | Discontinued procedure: under certain circumstances, the physician or other qualified health care professional may elect to terminate a surgical or diagnostic procedure. due to extenuating circumstances or those that threaten the well being of the patient, it may be necessary to indicate that a surgical or diagnostic procedure was started but discontinued. this circumstance may be reported by adding modifier 53 to the code reported by the individual for the discontinued procedure. note: this modifier is not used to report the elective cancellation of a procedure prior to the patient's anesthesia induction and/or surgical preparation in the operating suite. for outpatient hospital/ambulatory surgery center (asc) reporting of a previously scheduled procedure/service that is partially reduced or cancelled as a result of extenuating circumstances or those that threaten the well being of the patient prior to or after administration of anesthesia, see modifiers 73 and 74 (see modifiers approved for asc hospital outpatient use). | A1 | Dressing for one wound | A2 | Dressing for two wounds | F7 | Right hand, third digit | GA | Waiver of liability statement issued as required by payer policy, individual case | Q6 | Service furnished under a fee-for-time compensation arrangement by a substitute physician or by a substitute physical therapist furnishing outpatient physical therapy services in a health professional shortage area, a medically underserved area, or a rural area | RT | Right side (used to identify procedures performed on the right side of the body) | XS | Separate structure, a service that is distinct because it was performed on a separate organ/structure | XU | Unusual non-overlapping service, the use of a service that is distinct because it does not overlap usual components of the main service |
|
Date
|
Action
|
Notes
|
|---|---|---|
| 2025-01-01 | Changed | Short Description changed. |
| Pre-1990 | Added | Code added. |
Get instant expert-level medical coding assistance.