Orthopedic Coding Alert
Elbow Debridement Not Bundled Like Knee
Question: There is a new HCPCS code that allows orthopedists reimbursement for chondroplasty with meniscectomy. Is there a similar HCPCS code for debride-ment in an additional compartment on the elbow to pair with 29838? Illinois Subscriber Answer: HCPCS introduced G0289 (Arthroscopy, knee, surgical, for removal of loose body, foreign body, debridement/shaving of articular cartilage [chondroplas-ty] at the time of other surgical knee arthroscopy in a different compartment of the same knee) in response to last October's highly publicized edit when the National Correct Coding Initiative (NCCI) bundled chondroplasty into the meniscectomy codes (29880-29881).
Because orthopedists do not face the same type of edits for elbow surgeries, no such HCPCS code is necessary. NCCI does not bundle 29838 (Arthroscopy, elbow, surgical; debridement, extensive) into the other elbow arthroscopy codes (29830-29837). Therefore, if you perform surgical elbow arthroscopy in a separate compartment from the extensive debridement, you can report both 29834 (Arthroscopy, elbow, surgical; with removal of loose body or foreign body) and 29838.
Orthopedic Coding Alert
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Elbow Debridement Not Bundled Like Knee
Question: There is a new HCPCS code that allows orthopedists reimbursement for chondroplasty with meniscectomy. [...] - Reader Question :
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