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Official Description

Avulsion of nail plate, partial or complete, simple; single

© Copyright 2025 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.

Common Language Description

A simple avulsion of the nail plate, whether partial or complete, is a surgical procedure aimed at removing the nail plate from the nail bed. This procedure is typically performed when there is a need to address issues such as infection, trauma, or other conditions affecting the nail. During the procedure, a Freer elevator is carefully inserted beneath the edge of the nail plate, allowing the surgeon to lift the nail until a plane of cleavage is formed between the nail bed and the nail plate. This cleavage is then extended proximally to the nail matrix, which is the tissue under the base of the nail that produces new nail cells. The surgeon continues to manipulate the elevator in a side-to-side motion to free the lateral margins of the nail, ensuring that the nail is completely detached from the surrounding tissue. Once the lateral margins are adequately freed, the Freer elevator is inserted under the cuticle, and again moved side to side to facilitate the complete avulsion of the nail. Finally, the nail is grasped with a hemostat and removed using a rolling-twisting motion. It is important to note that this code, 11730, is specifically designated for a single nail plate avulsion, while 11732 should be used for each additional nail plate avulsed during the same session.

© Copyright 2025 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.

1. Indications

Avulsion of the nail plate is indicated for various conditions that may compromise the health or integrity of the nail. The following are explicitly provided indications for performing this procedure:

  • Infection - Presence of an infection in the nail bed or surrounding tissue that necessitates removal of the nail to allow for proper treatment and healing.
  • Trauma - Damage to the nail due to injury, which may require avulsion to alleviate pain or prevent further complications.
  • Nail Disorders - Conditions affecting the nail, such as ingrown nails or severe nail dystrophies, that may require surgical intervention for resolution.

2. Procedure

The procedure for avulsion of the nail plate involves several key steps that ensure the safe and effective removal of the nail. Each step is critical to achieving the desired outcome while minimizing discomfort and complications.

  • Step 1: Preparation - The area surrounding the nail is cleaned and sterilized to reduce the risk of infection. Local anesthesia may be administered to ensure patient comfort during the procedure.
  • Step 2: Insertion of Freer Elevator - A Freer elevator is carefully inserted under the edge of the nail plate. This instrument is designed to create a space between the nail plate and the nail bed.
  • Step 3: Formation of Cleavage Plane - The nail is lifted until a plane of cleavage forms between the nail bed and the nail plate. This cleavage is extended proximally to the matrix, allowing for easier removal of the nail.
  • Step 4: Freeing Lateral Margins - The elevator is moved in a side-to-side motion to free the lateral margins of the nail. This step is crucial for ensuring that the nail is completely detached from the surrounding tissue.
  • Step 5: Insertion Under Cuticle - Once the lateral margins are freed, the Freer elevator is inserted under the cuticle. The side-to-side motion is repeated to further facilitate the avulsion process.
  • Step 6: Grasping and Avulsing the Nail - The nail is then grasped with a hemostat. Using a rolling-twisting motion, the nail is avulsed from the nail bed, completing the procedure.

3. Post-Procedure

After the avulsion of the nail plate, appropriate post-procedure care is essential for optimal recovery. The area should be kept clean and dry to prevent infection. Patients may be advised to apply a sterile dressing to protect the site and to monitor for any signs of complications, such as increased pain, swelling, or discharge. Follow-up appointments may be necessary to assess healing and to determine if further treatment is required. Pain management may also be discussed, and patients should be informed about the expected timeline for recovery and any potential changes in nail growth following the procedure.

Short Descr REMOVAL OF NAIL PLATE
Medium Descr AVULSION NAIL PLATE PARTIAL/COMPLETE SIMPLE 1
Long Descr Avulsion of nail plate, partial or complete, simple; single
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) 0 - 150% payment adjustment for bilateral procedures does NOT apply.
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) P6A - Minor procedures - skin
MUE 1
CCS Clinical Classification 174 - Other non-OR therapeutic procedures on skin and breast

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

11732 Addon Code MPFS Status: Active Code APC N ASC N1 CPT Assistant Article Illustration for Code Avulsion of nail plate, partial or complete, simple; each additional nail plate (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure)
TA Left foot, great toe
T5 Right foot, great toe
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.
T1 Left foot, second digit
T6 Right foot, second digit
XS Separate structure, a service that is distinct because it was performed on a separate organ/structure
T2 Left foot, third digit
T7 Right foot, third digit
T3 Left foot, fourth digit
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).
T8 Right foot, fourth digit
T4 Left foot, fifth digit
GW Service not related to the hospice patient's terminal condition
T9 Right foot, fifth digit
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.)
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.
KX Requirements specified in the medical policy have been met
XU Unusual non-overlapping service, the use of a service that is distinct because it does not overlap usual components of the main service
GA Waiver of liability statement issued as required by payer policy, individual case
RT Right side (used to identify procedures performed on the right side of the body)
Q8 Two class b findings
GV Attending physician not employed or paid under arrangement by the patient's hospice provider
LT Left side (used to identify procedures performed on the left side of the body)
X4 Episodic/focused services: for reporting services by clinicians who provide focused care on particular types of treatment limited to a defined period and circumstance; the patient has a problem, acute or chronic, that will be treated with surgery, radiation, or some other type of generally time-limited intervention; reporting clinician service examples include but are not limited to, the orthopedic surgeon performing a knee replacement and seeing the patient through the postoperative period
AQ Physician providing a service in an unlisted health professional shortage area (hpsa)
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.)
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
F5 Right hand, thumb
52 Reduced services: under certain circumstances a service or procedure is partially reduced or eliminated at the discretion of the physician or other qualified health care professional. under these circumstances the service provided can be identified by its usual procedure number and the addition of modifier 52, signifying that the service is reduced. this provides a means of reporting reduced services without disturbing the identification of the basic service. note: for hospital outpatient reporting of a previously scheduled procedure/service that is partially reduced or cancelled as a result of extenuating circumstances or those that threaten the well-being of the patient prior to or after administration of anesthesia, see modifiers 73 and 74 (see modifiers approved for asc hospital outpatient use).
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
22 Increased procedural services: when the work required to provide a service is substantially greater than typically required, it may be identified by adding modifier 22 to the usual procedure code. documentation must support the substantial additional work and the reason for the additional work (ie, increased intensity, time, technical difficulty of procedure, severity of patient's condition, physical and mental effort required). note: this modifier should not be appended to an e/m service.
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).
53 Discontinued procedure: under certain circumstances, the physician or other qualified health care professional may elect to terminate a surgical or diagnostic procedure. due to extenuating circumstances or those that threaten the well being of the patient, it may be necessary to indicate that a surgical or diagnostic procedure was started but discontinued. this circumstance may be reported by adding modifier 53 to the code reported by the individual for the discontinued procedure. note: this modifier is not used to report the elective cancellation of a procedure prior to the patient's anesthesia induction and/or surgical preparation in the operating suite. for outpatient hospital/ambulatory surgery center (asc) reporting of a previously scheduled procedure/service that is partially reduced or cancelled as a result of extenuating circumstances or those that threaten the well being of the patient prior to or after administration of anesthesia, see modifiers 73 and 74 (see modifiers approved for asc hospital outpatient use).
76 Repeat procedure or service by same physician or other qualified health care professional: it may be necessary to indicate that a procedure or service was repeated by the same physician or other qualified health care professional subsequent to the original procedure or service. this circumstance may be reported by adding modifier 76 to the repeated procedure or service. note: this modifier should not be appended to an e/m service.
77 Repeat procedure by another physician or other qualified health care professional: it may be necessary to indicate that a basic procedure or service was repeated by another physician or other qualified health care professional subsequent to the original procedure or service. this circumstance may be reported by adding modifier 77 to the repeated procedure or service. note: this modifier should not be appended to an e/m service.
80 Assistant surgeon: surgical assistant services may be identified by adding modifier 80 to the usual procedure number(s).
81 Minimum assistant surgeon: minimum surgical assistant services are identified by adding modifier 81 to the usual procedure number.
82 Assistant surgeon (when qualified resident surgeon not available): the unavailability of a qualified resident surgeon is a prerequisite for use of modifier 82 appended to the usual procedure code number(s).
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.
99 Multiple modifiers: under certain circumstances 2 or more modifiers may be necessary to completely delineate a service. in such situations modifier 99 should be added to the basic procedure, and other applicable modifiers may be listed as part of the description of the service.
A1 Dressing for one wound
AF Specialty physician
AG Primary physician
AR Physician provider services in a physician scarcity area
AS Physician assistant, nurse practitioner, or clinical nurse specialist services for assistant at surgery
CC Procedure code change (use 'cc' when the procedure code submitted was changed either for administrative reasons or because an incorrect code was filed)
CG Policy criteria applied
CR Catastrophe/disaster related
E1 Upper left, eyelid
E3 Upper right, eyelid
F1 Left hand, second digit
F2 Left hand, third digit
F3 Left hand, fourth digit
F4 Left hand, fifth digit
F6 Right hand, second digit
F7 Right hand, third digit
F8 Right hand, fourth digit
F9 Right hand, fifth digit
FA Left hand, thumb
G8 Monitored anesthesia care (mac) for deep complex, complicated, or markedly invasive surgical procedure
GC This service has been performed in part by a resident under the direction of a teaching physician
GE This service has been performed by a resident without the presence of a teaching physician under the primary care exception
GF Non-physician (e.g. nurse practitioner (np), certified registered nurse anesthetist (crna), certified registered nurse (crn), clinical nurse specialist (cns), physician assistant (pa)) services in a critical access hospital
GX Notice of liability issued, voluntary under payer policy
GZ Item or service expected to be denied as not reasonable and necessary
HA Child/adolescent program
L1 Provider attestation that the hospital laboratory test(s) is not packaged under the hospital opps
PD Diagnostic or related non diagnostic item or service provided in a wholly owned or operated entity to a patient who is admitted as an inpatient within 3 days
PN Non-excepted service provided at an off-campus, outpatient, provider-based department of a hospital
PO Excepted service provided at an off-campus, outpatient, provider-based department of a hospital
Q3 Live kidney donor surgery and related services
Q5 Service furnished under a reciprocal billing 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
Q7 One class a finding
Q9 One class b and two class c findings
QJ Services/items provided to a prisoner or patient in state or local custody, however the state or local government, as applicable, meets the requirements in 42 cfr 411.4 (b)
SA Nurse practitioner rendering service in collaboration with a physician
SG Ambulatory surgical center (asc) facility service
SY Persons who are in close contact with member of high-risk population (use only with codes for immunization)
TG Complex/high tech level of care
TL Early intervention/individualized family service plan (ifsp)
TT Individualized service provided to more than one patient in same setting
U7 Medicaid level of care 7, as defined by each state
UD Medicaid level of care 13, as defined by each state
X1 Continuous/broad services: for reporting services by clinicians, who provide the principal care for a patient, with no planned endpoint of the relationship; services in this category represent comprehensive care, dealing with the entire scope of patient problems, either directly or in a care coordination role; reporting clinician service examples include, but are not limited to: primary care, and clinicians providing comprehensive care to patients in addition to specialty care
XE Separate encounter, a service that is distinct because it occurred during a separate encounter
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