2025 CPT code 23570
(Active) Effective Date: N/A Revision Date: N/A Surgery - Fracture Treatment Musculoskeletal System Feed
Closed treatment of a scapular fracture without manipulation.
Modifiers 54 (Surgical Care Only) and 55 (Postoperative Management Only) may be applicable depending on whether additional services are performed by the same or different physician.Additional modifiers may be appropriate depending on the circumstances and payer rules.
Medical necessity is established when a scapular fracture is diagnosed, and the degree of displacement does not necessitate open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF).Closed treatment is medically necessary to provide pain relief, promote healing, and prevent further injury.
The physician's responsibility includes evaluating the scapular fracture, determining the need for manipulation (if not, then this code applies), applying appropriate immobilization (sling or brace), monitoring the patient's progress, and providing instructions for aftercare.In some cases, post-treatment x-rays may be necessary.
In simple words: This code describes a doctor's treatment for a broken shoulder blade (scapula) that doesn't require surgery or manually moving the broken pieces into place. The doctor stabilizes the break using a sling or brace to allow it to heal naturally.
This CPT code, 23570, reports the closed treatment of a scapular fracture without manipulation or surgical intervention.The procedure involves stabilizing the fracture, typically using a sling or brace, to facilitate healing.No attempt is made to realign the bone fragments through manipulation.This approach is suitable for minimally displaced or non-displaced fractures where surgical intervention is not deemed necessary.
Example 1: A patient presents after a fall with a minimally displaced fracture of the scapular body.Imaging confirms the fracture is not significantly displaced.The physician opts for closed treatment with immobilization in a sling for 4-6 weeks., A patient sustains a nondisplaced scapular fracture in a motor vehicle accident.After evaluation, the physician determines that closed treatment with a brace is appropriate for this patient without the need for manipulation.The patient is instructed on proper use and limitations of the brace., An elderly patient with osteoporosis suffers a minimally displaced fracture of the scapular spine.The physician chooses conservative management with a sling and pain management, avoiding manipulation due to the patient's fragility.
* Thorough history and physical examination documenting the mechanism of injury.* Imaging studies (X-rays) clearly demonstrating the fracture and its displacement.* Documentation of the type of immobilization used (sling, brace).* Patient education regarding the immobilization device and aftercare instructions.* Follow-up plan and schedule.
** The decision to use closed treatment versus open reduction depends on the severity and type of fracture and is based on the physician's clinical judgment.Always confirm appropriate coding with payer-specific guidelines.
- Revenue Code: P6B (Minor Procedures - Musculoskeletal)
- RVU: This information is not available in the provided text.Consult the current CPT codebook or your payer's fee schedule for RVU values.
- Global Days : The global period for this procedure is not explicitly defined in the provided text.The global period will vary depending on payer and specific circumstances.
- Payment Status: Active
- Modifier TC rule: A Technical Component (TC) modifier is not applicable to this code.
- Fee Schedule : Fee schedule data is not included in this response.Please refer to your payer's fee schedule and relevant historical data sources.
- Specialties:Orthopedic Surgery
- Place of Service:Office, Emergency Room - Hospital, Urgent Care Facility, Inpatient Hospital