Reader Questions:
Mind CCI Edits on Lateral Releases
Published on Thu Mar 24, 2011
Question:
Our orthopedist performed a total knee replacement with a lateral release using the same incision site. He says we should code for the knee replacement and the lateral release separately; should we?Answer:
You should only report one code for this procedure. On the claim, report 27447 (
Arthroplasty, knee, condyle and plateau; medial AND lateral compartments with or without patella resurfacing [total knee arthroplasty]) for the knee replacement and the lateral release.
Explanation:
Correct Coding Initiative (CCI) edits bundle the lateral release with the knee replacement.