Thickened toenails often indicate a fungal infection, known as onychomycosis. The condition can be treated by podiatry physicians with diverse treatments.

1. Thickened toenails often indicate a fungal infection, known as
onychomycosis. The condition can be treated by podiatry physicians
with diverse treatments.
Toenail Fungus –
Podiatry Treatment
and Prevention
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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.