March 10, 2026

Are we supposed to be capturing splint application for purposes of immobilization? For example, I have always coded the reposition external approach if manipulation/reduction is performed and then a splint is placed to hold them off until further surgical intervention. However, I have never coded just a splint application for immobilization purposes without reduction to hold off until surgical intervention. I hope that makes sense. Please let me know how to proceed.

Happy to help. If a splint is applied as part of another procedure (reposition closed or open), then you do not code the splint (or sling or other immobilizer). It is understood as part of the procedure, similar to sutures to close a surgical site. If the immobilizer is applied without any other procedure/root operation, then it is meeting the requirement to code for essential procedures that evaluate, stabilize, or treat the injury.

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