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Official Description

Closed treatment of greater humeral tuberosity fracture; without manipulation

© Copyright 2025 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.

Common Language Description

The CPT® Code 23620 refers to the closed treatment of a fracture specifically located at the greater humeral tuberosity, which is a bony prominence on the upper part of the humerus (the bone of the upper arm). This procedure is characterized by the absence of manipulation, meaning that the fracture fragments do not require manual adjustment to restore their proper alignment. The treatment is performed without any surgical intervention, and the focus is on stabilizing the fracture through non-invasive means. To confirm the presence and nature of the fracture, radiographs (X-rays) are obtained, which are separately reportable. In this context, a nondisplaced fracture indicates that the bone fragments remain in their normal position, and thus, no further intervention is necessary to reposition them. Following the closed treatment, a splint or cast may be applied to immobilize the fracture site, ensuring that the area remains stable during the healing process. This code is distinct from CPT® Code 23625, which involves the treatment of a minimally displaced fracture that requires manipulation to restore proper alignment.

© Copyright 2025 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.

1. Indications

The closed treatment of a greater humeral tuberosity fracture without manipulation, as described by CPT® Code 23620, is indicated for specific conditions related to the fracture. The following indications are relevant for this procedure:

  • Nondisplaced Greater Humeral Tuberosity Fracture This procedure is indicated when a patient presents with a fracture of the greater humeral tuberosity that is classified as nondisplaced, meaning the bone fragments have not shifted from their original position.

2. Procedure

The procedure for CPT® Code 23620 involves several key steps that ensure proper treatment of the fracture:

  • Evaluation and Diagnosis The first step involves a thorough evaluation of the patient's condition, including a physical examination and a review of the patient's medical history. Radiographs are obtained to confirm the diagnosis of a greater humeral tuberosity fracture and to assess the displacement of the fracture fragments.
  • Closed Treatment Once the diagnosis is confirmed, the closed treatment is initiated. Since this code specifically pertains to fractures that do not require manipulation, the physician will focus on stabilizing the fracture without manually adjusting the bone fragments. This is achieved through non-invasive methods.
  • Immobilization After the closed treatment, the next step is to apply a splint or cast to the affected area. This immobilization is crucial as it helps to keep the fracture site stable, allowing for proper healing over time. The choice of splint or cast will depend on the specific needs of the patient and the physician's assessment.

3. Post-Procedure

Post-procedure care for a closed treatment of a greater humeral tuberosity fracture includes monitoring the patient for any signs of complications, such as increased pain or swelling. The physician may schedule follow-up appointments to assess the healing process through additional radiographs. Patients are typically advised on how to care for the immobilization device, including keeping it dry and clean. Rehabilitation exercises may be recommended once the fracture has sufficiently healed to restore range of motion and strength in the shoulder. The duration of immobilization and rehabilitation will vary based on the individual patient's healing progress.

Short Descr CLTX GR HMRL TBRS FX WO MNPJ
Medium Descr CLTX GREATER HUMERAL TUBEROSITY FX W/O MNPJ
Long Descr Closed treatment of greater humeral tuberosity fracture; without manipulation
Status Code Active Code
Global Days 090 - Major Surgery
PC/TC Indicator (26, TC) 0 - Physician Service Code
Multiple Procedures (51) 2 - Standard payment adjustment rules for multiple procedures apply.
Bilateral Surgery (50) 1 - 150% payment adjustment for bilateral procedures applies.
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 Procedure or Service, Multiple Reduction Applies
ASC Payment Indicator Office-based surgical procedure added to ASC list in CY 2008 or later with MPFS nonfacility PE RVUs; payment based on OPPS relative payment weight.
Type of Service (TOS) 2 - Surgery
Berenson-Eggers TOS (BETOS) P6B - Minor procedures - musculoskeletal
MUE 1
CCS Clinical Classification 148 - Other fracture and dislocation procedure
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)
54 Surgical care only: when 1 physician or other qualified health care professional performs a surgical procedure and another provides preoperative and/or postoperative management, surgical services may be identified by adding modifier 54 to the usual procedure number.
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).
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).
55 Postoperative management only: when 1 physician or other qualified health care professional performed the postoperative management and another performed the surgical procedure, the postoperative component may be identified by adding modifier 55 to the usual procedure number.
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.
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.
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.)
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.)
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.
AQ Physician providing a service in an unlisted health professional shortage area (hpsa)
AS Physician assistant, nurse practitioner, or clinical nurse specialist services for assistant at surgery
CG Policy criteria applied
CR Catastrophe/disaster related
GC This service has been performed in part by a resident under the direction of a teaching physician
GV Attending physician not employed or paid under arrangement by the patient's hospice provider
GW Service not related to the hospice patient's terminal condition
PO Excepted service provided at an off-campus, outpatient, provider-based department of a hospital
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
ST Related to trauma or injury
T3 Left foot, fourth digit
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
XS Separate structure, a service that is distinct because it was performed on a separate organ/structure
XU Unusual non-overlapping service, the use of a service that is distinct because it does not overlap usual components of the main service
Date
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2023-01-01 Note Short and medium descriptions changed.
Pre-1990 Added Code added.
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