Medicare Benefits Schedule - Item 48456

Treatment of non-union or malunion of fracture of hand, distal to wrist, including bone graft, and including any of the following (if performed):

(a) arthrotomy;

(b) debridement;

(c) osteotomy;

(d) removal of hardware;

(e) internal fixation;

other than a service associated with a service to which item 48245, 48248, 48251, 48254, 48257 or 47929 applies that is performed on the same bone

—one bone (H)

Multiple Operation Rule

(Anaes.) (Assist.)

Fee: $892.90 Benefit: 75% = $669.70

(See para TN.8.282 of explanatory notes to this Category)

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Items 48456 includes bone grafting as a mandatory component. The nature of the bone grafting required should be consistent with items 48248-48257.

Items 46401 and 48456 are both for the operative treatment of non-union of the phalanx or metacarpal of hand. 46401 should be claimed where no bone grafting meeting the threshold of 48248-48257 has been performed.

Item 48456 is inclusive of any bone graft harvesting and insertion, arthrotomy, debridement, osteotomy, removal of hardware, or internal fixation performed on that bone. Claiming a bone grafting item (48245-48257) and item 48456 on the same occasion on the same bone is not permitted. This does not prevent MBS items that include bone grafting from being claimed for surgery undertaken on another bone on the same occasion.

Item 48456 is not inclusive of additional procedures required for the treatment of osteomyelitis. In circumstances where patients require additional surgical treatment for osteomyelitis in the hand, item 43527 can also be claimed.

Item 48456 is claimable once per bone treated.

Related Items: 46401 48248 48251 48254 48257 48456