CPT for closed treatment of mandibular fracture with interdental fixation

I reported CPT code 21453, Closed treatment of mandibular fracture with interdental fixation, for a closed
treatment of mandibular fracture with interdental fixation using arch bars. I am unable to locate a specific code for arch bar removal. Can I report CPT code 20670, Removal of implant; superficial (eg, buried wire, pin or rod) (separate procedure), for the subsequent removal of the arch bars? Or is there a more appropriate code that I should report?

Answer: It is appropriate to report code 20670 for arch bar removal. Third-party payers may require that a modifier (eg, 58 or 78) be appended to code 20670 if the removal is performed within the global period of the initial surgery by the same surgeon. Therefore, you may wish to check with your local third-party payer to determine its specific reporting requirements.

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