2025 CPT code 20520
(Active) Effective Date: N/A Surgery - Removal of Foreign Body Surgery/Musculoskeletal System Feed
Removal of foreign body in muscle or tendon sheath; simple.
Modifiers may be applicable, such as 51 (Multiple Procedures) if performed with other procedures, or 76 (Repeat Procedure or Service) if the removal requires multiple attempts.
Medical necessity is established by the presence of a foreign body causing symptoms such as pain, inflammation, infection risk, or limited mobility.
The physician prepares the patient, administers anesthesia, makes an incision, locates and removes the foreign body, cleans the area, and closes the incision. They may use imaging guidance.
In simple words: This procedure removes a foreign object (like a splinter, glass, or metal) stuck in a muscle or the covering of a tendon. It's a simple procedure with a small incision.
This code describes a simple procedure for removing a foreign body from a muscle or tendon sheath.It typically involves a straightforward incision and removal, without extensive dissection or complications.
Example 1: A patient presents with a wood splinter embedded in their forearm muscle, causing pain and inflammation. The physician uses CPT code 20520 to report the removal of the splinter., A metal shaving becomes lodged in a worker's hand, penetrating the tendon sheath. The physician removes the shaving using a simple incision, reported with 20520., A child falls and gets a small piece of glass embedded in their calf muscle. The physician removes the glass fragment using a minor incision, coded as 20520.
Documentation should include details about the location of the foreign body, the method of removal, the size and type of the foreign body, and any complications encountered.
- Revenue Code: P6B
- Payment Status: Active
- Specialties:General surgery, Orthopedic surgery, Hand surgery, Emergency medicine
- Place of Service:Office, Outpatient Hospital, Ambulatory Surgical Center, Emergency Room - Hospital