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Official Description

Extracorporeal shock wave for integumentary wound healing, high energy, including topical application and dressing care; initial wound

© Copyright 2025 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.

Common Language Description

Extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) is a non-invasive treatment modality that utilizes high-energy acoustic waves to facilitate the healing of integumentary wounds. This therapy is particularly beneficial for chronic wounds, which may include venous leg ulcers, diabetic foot ulcers, pressure ulcers, and arterial insufficiency ulcers. Additionally, ESWT can be applied to acute conditions such as burns, postsurgical wounds, and post-traumatic wounds. The procedure involves the delivery of a sequence of biphasic acoustic pulses through a transducer device, which generates transient pressure disturbances in a three-dimensional space. This increase in pressure is instrumental in stimulating neovascularization, a process that promotes the formation of new blood vessels, thereby enhancing blood flow to the affected area. Furthermore, ESWT is known to reduce inflammation and alleviate nociceptive pain, contributing to improved patient comfort and recovery. However, it is important to note that complications may arise from the procedure, including bleeding, petechiae, hematoma or seroma formation, and localized pain. The CPT® Code 0512T specifically reports the application of extracorporeal shock wave therapy for the initial treatment of integumentary wounds, which includes the necessary topical application and dressing care. For subsequent treatments of additional wounds, CPT® Code 0513T is utilized.

© Copyright 2025 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.

1. Indications

Extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) is indicated for various chronic and acute wound conditions. The following are the specific indications for which this procedure may be performed:

  • Venous Leg Ulcers These are chronic wounds that occur due to improper functioning of venous valves, leading to poor blood circulation in the legs.
  • Diabetic Foot Ulcers These ulcers develop in patients with diabetes, often due to neuropathy and poor blood flow, making healing difficult.
  • Pressure Ulcers Also known as bedsores, these wounds occur due to prolonged pressure on the skin, typically in individuals with limited mobility.
  • Arterial Insufficiency Ulcers These ulcers result from inadequate blood supply to the tissues, often due to peripheral artery disease.
  • Burns Acute wounds caused by thermal, chemical, or electrical injury to the skin.
  • Postsurgical Wounds Wounds that develop following surgical procedures, which may require additional support for healing.
  • Post-Traumatic Wounds Wounds resulting from injuries, which may benefit from enhanced healing techniques.

2. Procedure

The procedure for extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) involves several key steps that ensure effective treatment of integumentary wounds. The following outlines the procedural steps:

  • Step 1: Patient Preparation The patient is positioned comfortably, and the area of the wound is exposed. The healthcare provider may clean the wound site to prepare it for treatment.
  • Step 2: Application of Gel A conductive gel is applied to the wound area to facilitate the transmission of shock waves from the transducer to the skin.
  • Step 3: Delivery of Shock Waves The transducer device is placed over the wound, and a series of biphasic acoustic pulses are delivered. The provider adjusts the intensity and frequency of the shock waves based on the specific needs of the wound and the patient's tolerance.
  • Step 4: Monitoring Throughout the procedure, the healthcare provider monitors the patient's response to the treatment, ensuring comfort and addressing any discomfort that may arise.
  • Step 5: Post-Treatment Care After the application of shock waves, the provider may apply a dressing to the wound and provide instructions for post-procedure care, including how to manage the dressing and any follow-up appointments.

3. Post-Procedure

Following the extracorporeal shock wave therapy, patients may experience some localized discomfort, which is typically mild and temporary. It is essential for patients to follow the post-procedure care instructions provided by their healthcare provider, which may include keeping the treated area clean and dry, changing dressings as directed, and monitoring for any signs of complications such as increased pain, swelling, or unusual discharge. Patients are often advised to avoid strenuous activities that may stress the wound site during the initial recovery period. Follow-up appointments may be scheduled to assess the healing progress and determine if additional treatments are necessary.

Short Descr ESW INTEG WND HLG 1ST WND
Medium Descr ESW INTEGUMENTARY WOUND HEALING INITIAL WOUND
Long Descr Extracorporeal shock wave for integumentary wound healing, including topical application and dressing care; initial wound
Status Code Carriers Price the Code
Global Days YYY - Carrier Determines Whether Global Concept Applies
PC/TC Indicator (26, TC) 0 - Physician Service Code
Multiple Procedures (51) 0 - No 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) 0 - 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, Not Discounted when Multiple
ASC Payment Indicator Office-based surgical procedure added to ASC list in CY 2008 or later without MPFS nonfacility PE RVUs; payment based on OPPS relative payment weight.
Berenson-Eggers TOS (BETOS) none
MUE 1

This is a primary code that can be used with these additional add-on codes.

0513T Add-on Code Resequenced Code MPFS Status: Carrier Priced APC N ASC N1 Extracorporeal shock wave for integumentary wound healing, including topical application and dressing care; each additional wound (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure)
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.
RT Right side (used to identify procedures performed on the right side of the body)
LT Left side (used to identify procedures performed on the left side of the body)
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).
95 Synchronous telemedicine service rendered via a real-time interactive audio and video telecommunications system: synchronous telemedicine service is defined as a real-time interaction between a physician or other qualified health care professional and a patient who is located at a distant site from the physician or other qualified health care professional. the totality of the communication of information exchanged between the physician or other qualified health care professional and the patient during the course of the synchronous telemedicine service must be of an amount and nature that would be sufficient to meet the key components and/or requirements of the same service when rendered via a face-to-face interaction. modifier 95 may only be appended to the services listed in appendix p. appendix p is the list of cpt codes for services that are typically performed face-to-face, but may be rendered via a real-time (synchronous) interactive audio and video telecommunications system.
GW Service not related to the hospice patient's terminal condition
KX Requirements specified in the medical policy have been met
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
T9 Right foot, fifth digit
XS Separate structure, a service that is distinct because it was performed on a separate organ/structure
Date
Action
Notes
2022-01-01 Changed Code description changed.
2019-01-01 Added Added
Code
Description
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