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Orthopedic Coding Alert

Reader Questions:

Biceps Tenotomy May Require Unlisted

Published on Sun May 28, 2006

Question: Our physician performed a rotator cuff repair, subacromial decompression, limited debridement and biceps tenotomy through the arthroscope on a patient's shoulder. Which code should we report for the arthroscopic biceps tenotomy? 

New York Subscriber Answer: CPT does not yet include a code that describes arthroscopic biceps tenotomy. Most coders report the unlisted-procedure code 29999 (Unlisted procedure, arthroscopy) for this procedure and use 23440 (Resection or transplantation of long tendon of biceps) as a comparison code.
 
Tip: If the surgeon performs the tenotomy as a mini-open procedure, you can report 23440 instead of the unlisted-procedure code.
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