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Strapping is a therapeutic technique used to support and immobilize specific joints or areas of the body that may be injured or weakened. In the context of CPT® Code 29240, this procedure specifically pertains to the shoulder. The application of strapping involves the use of tape or a wrap to secure the shoulder in a position that minimizes movement, thereby aiding in the healing process of soft tissue injuries. The physician or physical therapist conducts a thorough evaluation to assess the mechanism of injury, identifying any areas of weakness or vulnerability that require support. The strapping technique may be referred to as Velpeau strapping, which is characterized by immobilizing the shoulder with the elbow bent and secured against the torso. This method is particularly beneficial for patients who need to restrict shoulder movement while allowing for some degree of comfort and stability during the recovery phase. The procedure is part of a broader category of strapping techniques that may also include the elbow, wrist, hand, or finger, each tailored to address specific injuries or conditions in those areas.
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Strapping of the shoulder, as described in CPT® Code 29240, is indicated for various conditions that necessitate immobilization and support of the shoulder joint. The following are the explicitly provided indications for this procedure:
The procedure for applying strapping to the shoulder involves several key steps that ensure proper immobilization and support. Each step is critical for achieving the desired therapeutic outcome.
Post-procedure care following the application of strapping to the shoulder is essential for ensuring optimal recovery. Patients are typically advised to limit movement of the shoulder to prevent aggravation of the injury. The duration of the strapping may vary based on the severity of the injury and the clinician's recommendations. Patients should be monitored for any signs of discomfort, skin irritation, or changes in circulation. Follow-up appointments may be scheduled to assess healing progress and determine when it is appropriate to remove the strapping or transition to other forms of rehabilitation.
| Short Descr | STRAPPING OF SHOULDER | Medium Descr | STRAPPING SHOULDER | Long Descr | Strapping; shoulder (eg, Velpeau) | 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) | 1 - 150% payment adjustment for bilateral procedures applies. | 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 | STV-Packaged Codes | ASC Payment Indicator | Packaged service/item; no separate payment made. | 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. | 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) | RT | Right side (used to identify procedures performed on the right side of the body) | 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 | GO | Services delivered under an outpatient occupational therapy plan of care | CQ | Outpatient physical therapy services furnished in whole or in part by a physical therapist assistant | 50 | Bilateral procedure: unless otherwise identified in the listings, bilateral procedures that are performed at the same session, should be identified by adding modifier 50 to the appropriate 5 digit code. note: this modifier should not be appended to designated "add-on" codes (see appendix d). | XS | Separate structure, a service that is distinct because it was performed on a separate organ/structure | 97 | Rehabilitative services: when a service or procedure that may be either habilitative or rehabilitative in nature is provided for rehabilitative purposes, the physician or other qualified health care professional may add modifier 97 to the service or procedure code to indicate that the service or procedure provided was a rehabilitative service. rehabilitative services help an individual keep, get back, or improve skills and functioning for daily living that have been lost or impaired because the individual was sick, hurt, or disabled. | CO | Outpatient occupational therapy services furnished in whole or in part by an occupational therapy assistant | GA | Waiver of liability statement issued as required by payer policy, individual case | XU | Unusual non-overlapping service, the use of a service that is distinct because it does not overlap usual components of the main service | 58 | Staged or related procedure or service by the same physician or other qualified health care professional during the postoperative period: it may be necessary to indicate that the performance of a procedure or service during the postoperative period was: (a) planned or anticipated (staged); (b) more extensive than the original procedure; or (c) for therapy following a surgical procedure. this circumstance may be reported by adding modifier 58 to the staged or related procedure. note: for treatment of a problem that requires a return to the operating/procedure room (eg, unanticipated clinical condition), see modifier 78. | 78 | Unplanned return to the operating/procedure room by the same physician or other qualified health care professional following initial procedure for a related procedure during the postoperative period: it may be necessary to indicate that another procedure was performed during the postoperative period of the initial procedure (unplanned procedure following initial procedure). when this procedure is related to the first, and requires the use of an operating/procedure room, it may be reported by adding modifier 78 to the related procedure. (for repeat procedures, see modifier 76.) | 79 | Unrelated procedure or service by the same physician or other qualified health care professional during the postoperative period: the individual may need to indicate that the performance of a procedure or service during the postoperative period was unrelated to the original procedure. this circumstance may be reported by using modifier 79. (for repeat procedures on the same day, see modifier 76.) | AQ | Physician providing a service in an unlisted health professional shortage area (hpsa) | GC | This service has been performed in part by a resident under the direction of a teaching physician | GW | Service not related to the hospice patient's terminal condition | GX | Notice of liability issued, voluntary under payer policy | 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 | XE | Separate encounter, a service that is distinct because it occurred during a separate encounter |
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