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Orthopedic Coding Alert

Reader Questions:

Use -LT, -RT for Bilateral Arthroplasties

Published on Sun Sep 12, 2004

Question: Two orthopedic surgeons from our practice performed total knee arthroplasties on the same patient at the same time. The first physician performed the left knee replacement, and the second physician performed the right. How can we report the simultaneous surgeries?

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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