Orthopedic Coding Alert
Know the Three Knee Compartments
Question: We were pleased to read in the February Orthopedic Coding Alert that we can now report G0289 for chondroplasty when the surgeon performs a meniscec-tomy (29880-29881) in a separate compartment. What are the separate compartments? Nevada Subscriber Answer: HCPCS introduced G0289 (Arthroscopy, knee, surgical, for removal of loose body, foreign body, debridement/shaving of articular cartilage [chondroplasty] at the time of other surgical knee arthroscopy in a different compartment of the same knee) in 2003 so you can recoup reimbursement if the orthopedist performs chondroplasty and meniscectomy in separate compartments. According to the June 1999 CPT Assistant, the surgeon can visualize three knee compartments during arthroscopic surgery: the medial, lateral, and patellofemoral. If the surgeon performs a lateral meniscec-tomy and a medial chondroplasty, you should report 29881 and G0289.
Orthopedic Coding Alert
- Specialty Spotlight:
Sports Medicine Dont Strike Out When Reporting Elbow Ligament Repairs
Baseball season has arrived, which means orthopedists should expect to see a sudden increase in [...] - Avoid Undercoding Subsequent Hospital Care
If your practice repeatedly reports 99231 for all of your subsequent hospital care services, this [...] - You Be the Coder:
Report Separate-Compartment Multiple Chondroplasties
Test your coding knowledge. Determine how you would code this situation before looking at the [...] - Subsequent Hospital Care:
Documentation Is Key to Selecting Accurate Codes
Once your practice learns CMS'requirements for documenting subsequent hospital care, you can more accurately assign [...] - News Brief:
2003 Conversion Factor Increased by 1.6 Percent
Thanks to a last-minute congressional move, CMS raised the 2003 conversion factor about 1.6 percent [...] - Reader Question:
Dont Report Both Injection and 99211
Question: When our nurses administer injections, we usually report the codes for injection administration, the [...] - Reader Question:
Report 24341 for Pectoralis Major Repair
Question: What is the appropriate code to report for pectoralis major muscle repair? It is [...] - Reader Question:
Posterolateral Corner Repair Codes Vary
Question: Our surgeon performed an arthroscopic ACL reconstruction (29888) with an open posterolateral corner repair. [...] - Reader Question:
Report 26546 or 26565 for Open Osteoclasis
Question: Our surgeon performed open osteoclasis to treat a right proximal fifth metacarpal fracture. Is [...] - Reader Question:
Know the Three Knee Compartments
Question: We were pleased to read in the February Orthopedic Coding Alert that we can [...] - Reader Question:
Report E/M For Oxygen Administration
Question: One of our patients suffered syncope and collapsed in the office. We administered oxygen, [...] - Reader Question:
Rib,Vertebrae Fractures:Use Two Codes
Question: Our orthopedist performed closed treatments on two vertebral compression fractures and a right rib [...] - Clarification:
Shoulder Manipulation
The December 2002 Orthopedic Coding Alert reader question "Shoulder Manipulation" advised subscribers to report 23585 [...]
