Foot & Ankle Orthopedics in the ASC: CPT Codes and Coverage
Foot and ankle orthopedic surgeons treat conditions of the forefoot, midfoot, and hindfoot, billed in the foot and ankle CPT range 28000-28899. These span minor soft-tissue work like 28001 (drainage of a bursa of the foot) to bunion corrections like 28296 (distal first metatarsal osteotomy for hallux valgus). Whether Medicare pays a code in an ASC depends on the CMS addenda: codes on Addendum AA are on the ASC Covered Procedures List, while Addendum EE codes are excluded from ASC payment.
DataLily's procedure library tracks CPT-specific prior-authorization and documentation requirements so billing and coding teams can confirm what each payer expects before the case is scheduled.
Ortho – Foot & Ankle codes(1–60 of 175)
- 28285Repair of hammertoe
- 28296Cor hlx vlgs dstl mtar osteo
- 28297Cor hlx vlgs jt arthrd
- 28001Drainage of bursa of foot
- 28002Treatment of foot infection
- 28003Treatment of foot infection
- 28005Treat foot bone lesion
- 28008Incision of foot fascia
- 28010Incision of toe tendon
- 28011Incision of toe tendons
- 28020Exploration of foot joint
- 28022Exploration of foot joint
- 28024Exploration of toe joint
- 28035Decompression of tibia nerve
- 28039Exc foot/toe tum sc 1.5 cm/>
- 28041Exc foot/toe tum dep 1.5cm/>
- 28043Exc foot/toe tum sc < 1.5 cm
- 28045Exc foot/toe tum deep <1.5cm
- 28046Resect foot/toe tumor < 3 cm
- 28047Resect foot/toe tumor 3 cm/>
- 28050Biopsy of foot joint lining
- 28052Biopsy of foot joint lining
- 28054Biopsy of toe joint lining
- 28055Neurectomy foot
- 28060Partial removal foot fascia
- 28062Removal of foot fascia
- 28070Removal of foot joint lining
- 28072Removal of foot joint lining
- 28080Removal of foot lesion
- 28086Excise foot tendon sheath
- 28088Excise foot tendon sheath
- 28090Removal of foot lesion
- 28092Removal of toe lesions
- 28100Removal of ankle/heel lesion
- 28102Remove/graft foot lesion
- 28103Remove/graft foot lesion
- 28104Removal of foot lesion
- 28106Remove/graft foot lesion
- 28107Remove/graft foot lesion
- 28108Removal of toe lesions
- 28110Part removal of metatarsal
- 28111Part removal of metatarsal
- 28112Part removal of metatarsal
- 28113Part removal of metatarsal
- 28114Removal of metatarsal heads
- 28116Revision of foot
- 28118Removal of heel bone
- 28119Removal of heel spur
- 28120Part removal of ankle/heel
- 28122Partial removal of foot bone
- 28124Partial removal of toe
- 28126Partial removal of toe
- 28130Removal of ankle bone
- 28140Removal of metatarsal
- 28150Removal of toe
- 28153Partial removal of toe
- 28160Partial removal of toe
- 28171Resect tarsal tumor
- 28173Resect metatarsal tumor
- 28175Resect phalanx of toe tumor
Are foot and ankle surgeries performed in an ASC?
Many are. A large share of forefoot and soft-tissue foot and ankle procedures are performed in ambulatory surgery centers and billed with place-of-service 24. Whether Medicare pays a specific code in an ASC depends on its CMS addendum status: codes on Addendum AA are on the ASC Covered Procedures List, while Addendum EE codes are excluded from ASC payment. Check each code's status before scheduling.
What CPT codes does foot and ankle orthopedics use?
Foot and ankle procedures fall in the CPT range 28000-28899, which spans soft-tissue, bone, and joint work on the forefoot, midfoot, and hindfoot. Examples include 28285 (repair of hammertoe), 28296 and 28297 (hallux valgus corrections), and 28001 (drainage of a bursa of the foot). We have mapped 175 ASC-relevant codes in this range, each with its own page.
What is the difference between CPT 28296 and 28297 for bunion surgery?
Both address hallux valgus, commonly called a bunion. The CMS short descriptors indicate that 28296 is a distal first metatarsal osteotomy, where the bone is cut and realigned, while 28297 is a first metatarsophalangeal joint arthrodesis, where the joint is fused. The right code depends on the operative technique documented by the surgeon. Confirm coverage and any prior-authorization requirements for each.