For dates of service on or after July 25, 2022, the Independence medical policy on the surgical treatment of nails is being updated for all Medicare Advantage members. The changes are being made in accordance with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and include the following guidelines:

• when a toenail avulsion is performed, another avulsion should not be required on the same toe for at least 32 weeks
• when a fingernail avulsion is performed, another avulsion should not be required on the same finger for at least 16 weeks

Claims submitted for billing will need to be reported using the most appropriate diagnosis code representing the most specific condition and/or laterality.

A Policy Notification was posted on April 25, 2022.