Toenail Fungus – Podiatry Treatment and Prevention
Thickened toenails often indicate a fungal infection, known as onychomycosis. The condition can be treated by podiatry physicians with diverse treatments.
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Nail deformity is primarily the result of fungus. Onychomycosis refers to the fungal infection of one or more nails, usually the toenails. Though the condition may not be a major threat to health, infected nails can be painful, inconvenient, and embarrassing, especially for an active person. As the infection goes deeper, the fungus may cause the nail to discolor, thicken and crumble at the edge and also affect several nails. Insurance claims processing for such conditions require accurate documentation from physicians and proper reporting from podiatry medical billing and coding specialists. Thickened toenails are mainly a sign of fungal infection. Other symptoms of this toenail infection include slightly foul smelling, whitish to yellow-brown discoloration and distorted shape of nails. It is crucial to consult a podiatrist if the patient notices any symptoms. Key factors that can increase the risk of developing this nail infection include heavy sweating, diabetes and circulation problems, weakened immune system, conditions like psoriasis, having a history of athlete's foot, walking barefoot in damp communal areas and years of exposure to fungi and slow-growing nails. Left untreated, this condition won’t go away on its own and can cause serious complications. The earlier the patient seeks professional treatment, the greater the chance of getting clear nails. Diagnosis and Treatment Podiatrists will perform visual inspections first, which is the main diagnostic tool. Pathology lab tests will be recommended to know whether it’s an infection of fungus, mold, or yeast. Once the exact cause of the problem is identified, the podiatrist will choose the right treatment option. Onychomycosis treatment centers on five basic modalities: debridement, surgical removal, topical medications, oral medications and emerging technologies. In mild cases of onychomycosis, the podiatrist may recommend creams or ointments applied topically. Oral medications are an option as well. If the toenail fungal infection becomes severe and spreads to the nail bed, the podiatrist may advise complete removal of the toenail to prevent further problems. Safe and effective laser treatments are also available to treat the condition.
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Does Medicare Cover Toenail fungus? Medicare may cover nail fungus treatment if it’s determined to be medically necessary foot care. According to Medicare.org, Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance) may help cover medically necessary services, including doctor visits and care the patient receives in an outpatient setting, to diagnose and treat infections such as toenail fungus. For those with Original Medicare, they would likely pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount and the Part B deductible will apply. If treatment of nail fungus is considered cosmetic or routine, Medicare usually will not cover it. If the condition is documented to be medically necessary, then the right ICD-10 code to report this condition is
B35.1 Tinea unguium
This ICD-10 code is applicable to Onychomycosis, Dermatophytic onychia, Dermatophytosis of nail, and Ringworm of nails. Preventive Measures Prevention is always a better option than treatment. Podiatrists recommend certain preventive measures for healthy, fungus-free nails such as the following –
Wearing clean socks daily
Washing hands and feet regularly after touching an infected nail
Drying the feet with a clean towel after washing with soap and water
Wearing clean socks
Intake of proper nutrition, as it plays a key role in keeping the nails strong
Choosing shoes made of comfortable materials
Cutting toenails straight across to avoid painful ingrown toenails
Changing gym shoes after a workout
Medical billing and coding services provided by experienced companies can be of great support for busy practices to meet their claim submission and reimbursement tasks.
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