Orthopedic Coding Alert
Arthroscopy Coding
California Subscriber
Answer: To describe the chondroplasty, use 29822 (arthroscopy, shoulder, surgical; debridement, limited). This should be appended with modifier -51 (multiple procedures) as it is billed in addition to 29826 (arthroscopy, shoulder, surgical; decompression of subacromial space with partial acromioplasty, with or without coracoacromial release) for the acromioplasty. Code 29819 (arthroscopy, shoulder, surgical; with removal of loose body or foreign body) is bundled into both 29826 and 29823 and is not billable. The diagnostic code linked to 29822 is 733.92 (chondromalacia). The most likely diagnostic code to link with 29826 is from the 719.xx (other and unspecified disorders of joint) series.
Orthopedic Coding Alert
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Coding for late effects of traumatic injuries is often poorly understood. When incomplete diagnostic information [...] - AMA/CPT Defines the Global Surgical Package
In a year that has seen the AMA move toward greater specificity in its codes [...] - You Be the Coder:
Fracture Coding
Test your coding knowledge. Determine how you would code this situation before looking at the [...] - Reader Question:
Impairment Rating
Question: What code should I use when the physician does an impairment rating?
Colorado Subscriber
Answer: [...] - Reader Question:
Component of THR
Question: An orthopedic surgeon performs a revision of the acetabular component of a total hip [...] - Reader Question:
Co-Surgeons
Question: One surgeon from our practice performed an open reduction with internal fixation of a [...] - Reader Question:
Arthroscopy Coding
Question: The operative report lists chondroplasty of the humeral head chondral fracture and removal of [...] - Reader Question:
Nerve Conduction Studies in Office
Question: We've started to perform nerve conduction studies (NCS) in our office. The equipment vendor [...] - Reader Question:
Return to the OR
Question: What diagnostic code do I use for the loss of reduction or fixation on [...] - Reader Question:
Pain Pump
Question: I have been using 37202 (transcatheter therapy, infusion other than for thrombolysis, any type [...] - Reader Question:
Marcaine Payment
Question: I am having difficulty getting paid for Marcaine. We use the unlisted HCPCS code [...] - Reader Question:
Billing for a Medicare Patient
Question: Should 20936 and 20937 be billed together with modifier -59? This is a Medicare [...] - Reader Question:
Closed Reduction for Multiple Fracture
Question: The physician performed a closed reduction of a fracture of both bones and a [...] - Reader Question:
Radiofrequency
Question: My physician performed an arthroscopic radiofrequency thermal debriding of unstable articular cartilage in all [...] - Reader Question:
Carpal Scaphoid
Question: My surgeon is performing a 25628 (open treatment of carpal scaphoid [navicular] fracture; with [...] - Reader Question:
Open Reduction
Question: My surgeon spent 10 to 15 minutes on a patient, attempting a closed reduction [...]
