Orthopedic Coding Alert

Question: My surgeon performs a subscapularis repair to the lesser tuberosity with one anchor, moves the scope to do the acromioplasty, and finishes the rotator cuff repair (RCR) by attaching the supraspinatus and infraspinatus to the greater tuberosity with two or three more anchors. May I report an additional code for the separate subscapularis repair?

Wisconsin Subscriber

Answer: You should not report the subscapularis repair separately because it is one of the rotator cuff tendons. You should include the repair in RCR code 29827 (Arthroscopy, shoulder, surgical; with rotator cuff repair).

Helpful: The AMA's March 2008 CPT Assistant states that when the surgeon makes an additional portal to repair the subscapularis tendon during an arthroscopic RCR, you should not report the additional portal separately. "Code 29827 represents the repair of one, two, or three tendons. The number of portals made does not alter the use of code 29827," the CPT Assistant says.