2025 CPT code 23500
Effective Date: N/A Surgery - Musculoskeletal System Feed
Closed treatment of clavicular fracture; without manipulation.
Modifiers may be applicable to this code to indicate specific circumstances, such as the use of a modifier 54 (Surgical Care Only) if the provider performs only the initial treatment but not the subsequent care.
Medical necessity for this code is established when a patient presents with a clavicular fracture that is clinically determined to be stable and amenable to non-operative treatment.The documentation must support that manipulation or surgical intervention is not required.
A physician or other qualified healthcare professional evaluates the fracture, typically through physical examination and X-rays. If the fracture is stable and doesn't require realignment, the physician applies a sling or brace to immobilize the shoulder and allow the bone to heal naturally. Follow-up visits are scheduled to monitor the healing process.
In simple words: This procedure treats a broken collarbone without surgery. The bone is not realigned, and a sling or brace is used for support.
This procedure involves the closed treatment of a clavicular (collarbone) fracture without any manipulation (realignment) of the fractured bone.It does not involve a surgical opening of the fracture site.
Example 1: A 25-year-old patient falls and sustains a non-displaced fracture of the midshaft of the clavicle. The fracture is stable, and the bone fragments are well-aligned. The physician applies a figure-of-eight brace to immobilize the fracture., A child falls from a swing set and experiences a greenstick fracture of the clavicle. The fracture is minimally displaced and considered stable. The physician recommends a sling for comfort and support., An elderly patient trips and falls, resulting in a distal clavicle fracture.The fracture is stable but painful. The physician opts for closed treatment with a sling for pain management and immobilization.
Documentation should include the details of the injury, physical exam findings, X-ray results confirming the fracture and its location, type of treatment provided (sling or brace), and instructions for follow-up care.
- Specialties:Orthopedic Surgery, Emergency Medicine, Family Medicine, General Surgery
- Place of Service:Office, Emergency Room - Hospital, Outpatient Hospital, Urgent Care Facility