Podiatry billing ingrown nail with ICD-10 codes

It seems as though the ingrown toenail codes that are billable to the highest level of specificity  right now are for the right and left great toenails.  I guess this is not that big of a deal, considering most of the ingrown toenails are usually the big toenails.  The old code for ingrown toenail was 703.0 is now L60.0 there is no laterality with this code but I would use this code with the other ones suggested next.  The old code for paronychia or infected ingrown nail was 681.11.  The new ICD-10 code has laterality but only for the great toes.  Right great toe infected ingrown toe nail is L03.031 and left is L03.032.  So if you are billing a 11730 or a 11750 the modifier for the toe should still be used on the CPT code.

Billing 11730 or 11750

Use the following codes:
L60.0- Ingrown Nail
L03.031- if right hallux  modifier on CPT code T5
L03.032- if left hallux    modifier on CPT code TA
M79.609 which is just pain in limb this is the unspecified pain in limb because there is no pain in limb in foot or toes specific.

This is pretty straightforward information, so far as it looks in the new world of ICD-10.  Again, in our practice, this is a procedure that we perform several times throughout the day.  I suggest knowing what you do every day inside out.  The more common things should be well established in your mind before October 1st, 2015 so this transition is smooth for you.  If you have a good EMR you will be able to look up the specific code translation from ICD9 to ICD10, and there are so many nice resources available on the web for your reference for the "zebras" that walk into your office.  Remember, know your codes for plantar fasciitis/heel pain, diabetic foot care, ingrown nails, and the other most common patients you see a day.  There is a lot of transparency in what we do, but in a good way.  Many people come to us for very simple problems and we have simple answers to help them in usually a very cost effective way.

Michele McGowan, DPM
The Center for Ankle and Foot Care
http://centeranklefootcare.com/icd-10.html