Orthopedic Coding Alert
Use -LT, -RT for Bilateral Arthroplasties
Nebraska Subscriber
Answer: Physicians perform simultaneous total knee arthroplasties to cut down on the amount of time that the patient stays under anesthesia. Unless your carrier specifies otherwise, you should report the surgeries with left and right side modifiers: Dr. A: 27447-LT (Arthroplasty, knee, condyle and plateau; medial AND lateral compartments with or without patella resurfacing [total knee arthroplasty]; Left side).
Dr. B: 27447-RT (Right side).
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