Fracture of body of sternum, subs for fx w delay heal

This code signifies a fracture located in the body of the sternum that is not healing at the expected rate. It indicates that the patient has previously been seen for this fracture and is now presenting for follow-up care due to delayed union of the bone fragments.

Apply this code when a patient with a documented sternal body fracture presents for an encounter where the fracture is confirmed to be healing slower than anticipated. This would typically occur during follow-up visits after initial treatment, where imaging or clinical assessment reveals a lack of progression towards complete healing.

• Ensure documentation clearly specifies "delayed healing" for the sternal body fracture.
• Verify that this is a subsequent encounter, not the initial treatment for the fracture.
• Confirm the specific location of the fracture is the "body of sternum" to differentiate from other sternal parts.