Orthopedic Coding Alert

Pay attention to graft retrieval, resurfacing, and femoral block and check on carrier specifications. In the last issue of Orthopedic Coding Alert, we looked at how to report additional procedures bundled in hip replacement code(s) that could complicate your code selection. This month, we'll continue reviewing hip replacement coding challenges by giving you advice on reporting grafts, femoral blocks, and resurfacing. Next month: Look for instruction on coding infection and dislocation interventions with hip replacements and how to report the underlying cause.Turn to Carrier Specifications for Bone GraftsYou report the partial or total hip replacement codes irrespective of whether your surgeon is using an allograft or autograft for the procedure. The hip replacement code descriptions include the terms 'autograft or allograft' or only 'allograft'. According to CCI edits, you would report an autograft with 27125 (Hemiarthroplasty, hip, partial [eg, femoral stem prosthesis, bipolar arthroplasty]) only. There is no code for [...]