© Copyright 2025 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.
The CPT® Code 28298 refers to a surgical procedure known as correction of hallux valgus with bunionectomy, which includes a sesamoidectomy when performed, and involves a proximal phalanx osteotomy using any method. Hallux valgus, commonly known as a bunion, is a deformity characterized by the lateral deviation of the great toe, often accompanied by the formation of a bony prominence at the base of the toe. This condition can lead to pain, discomfort, and difficulty in wearing shoes. The procedure aims to realign the toe and alleviate symptoms associated with the bunion. During the surgery, a proximal phalanx osteotomy, which may also be referred to as an Akin procedure, is performed to correct the alignment of the toe. The surgical approach typically involves making a medial incision near the bunion site, allowing access to the joint and surrounding structures. The procedure may also include the excision of the medial eminence, which is the bony prominence that forms due to the bunion, and potentially the removal of the sesamoid bones if they are affected. Overall, this surgical intervention is designed to restore proper alignment and function of the great toe, thereby improving the patient's quality of life.
© Copyright 2025 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.
The procedure described by CPT® Code 28298 is indicated for patients suffering from hallux valgus, particularly when accompanied by a bunion that causes significant pain or functional impairment. The following conditions may warrant this surgical intervention:
The surgical procedure for CPT® Code 28298 involves several key steps to correct the hallux valgus deformity:
After the completion of the procedure, patients are typically monitored for any immediate complications. Post-operative care may include pain management, elevation of the foot to reduce swelling, and the use of a surgical shoe or boot to protect the surgical site. Patients are usually advised to limit weight-bearing activities for a specified period to allow for proper healing. Follow-up appointments are necessary to assess the healing process and to determine when physical therapy or gradual return to normal activities can begin. The expected recovery time may vary based on individual factors, but patients can generally anticipate a gradual return to normal function over several weeks to months.
| Short Descr | COR HLX VLGS PRX PHLX OSTEOT | Medium Descr | CORRJ HLX VLGS BNCTY SESMDC PROX PHLX OSTEOT | Long Descr | Correction, hallux valgus with bunionectomy, with sesamoidectomy when performed; with proximal phalanx osteotomy, any method | 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) | 2 - Payment restriction for assistants at surgery does not apply to this procedure... | Co-Surgeons (62) | 1 - Co-surgeons could be paid, though supporting documentation is required... | Team Surgery (66) | 0 - Team surgeons not permitted for this procedure. | Diagnostic Imaging Family | 99 - Concept Does Not Apply | APC Status Indicator | Hospital Part B services paid through a comprehensive APC | ASC Payment Indicator | Device-intensive procedure added to ASC list in CY 2008 or later; paid at adjusted rate. | Type of Service (TOS) | 2 - Surgery | Berenson-Eggers TOS (BETOS) | P5B - Ambulatory procedures - musculoskeletal | MUE | 1 | CCS Clinical Classification | 143 - Bunionectomy or repair of toe deformities |
This is a primary code that can be used with these additional add-on codes.
| 20705 | Add-on Code MPFS Status: Active Code APC N Removal of drug-delivery device(s), intra-articular (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure) |
| RT | Right side (used to identify procedures performed on the right side of the body) | T5 | Right foot, great toe | LT | Left side (used to identify procedures performed on the left side of the body) | TA | Left foot, great toe | SG | Ambulatory surgical center (asc) facility service | 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). | 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). | 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). | 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.) | 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). | AG | Primary physician | 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) | F5 | Right hand, thumb | FA | Left hand, thumb | GA | Waiver of liability statement issued as required by payer policy, individual case | 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 | T1 | Left foot, second digit | T2 | Left foot, third digit | T4 | Left foot, fifth digit | T6 | Right foot, second digit | T7 | Right foot, third digit | T8 | Right foot, fourth digit | XE | Separate encounter, a service that is distinct because it occurred during a separate encounter | 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
|
Action
|
Notes
|
|---|---|---|
| 2024-01-01 | Changed | Short, Medium, and Long Descriptions changed. |
| 2017-01-01 | Changed | Long, Medium and Short descriptions changed. |
| Pre-1990 | Added | Code added. |
Get instant expert-level medical coding assistance.