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Orthopedic Coding Alert

Reader Questions:

RVU for Thermal Shrinkage

Published on Thu Apr 01, 1999

Question: I saw your question regarding Thermal Shrinkage in the February issue (page 13) of Orthopedic Coding Alert. My practice is trying to find a relative value unit (RVU) for the appropriate cost. Can you help?

Julie Johannes, Coder
Blue Ridge Orthopedics, Clemson, SC

Answer: Our coding sources suggested checking with your physicians to find a comparable procedure and using that RVU. When identifying a comparable procedure, consider time involved, skill required, severity of illness, risk to patient as well as medical and legal risk to physician. For example, thermal shrinkage could be comparable to an open capsulorrhaphy as designated in codes 23450-23466. In Massachusetts, for example, if the repair of the capsule was for instability, the RVU may be from 28 to 32.
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