Advanced Search

Orthopedic Coding Alert

You Be the Coder:

Confirm Prosthesis for Patellar Arthroplasty

Published on Wed Sep 12, 2012

Question: Our surgeon did a patellar resurfacing in an outpatient facility. Is it correct to report this as 27446 (Arthroplasty, knee, condyle and plateau; medial OR lateral compartment) or do we bill this as unlisted? The patient had a total knee replacement over a year ago.Ohio SubscriberAnswer: Patellar resurfacing is actually patelloplasty. The term 'resurfacing' implies that some type of implant was used. You report 27438 (Arthroplasty, patella; with prosthesis) for this procedure. Your surgeon will virtually always adopt an open approach to patelloplasty as this procedure involves removal of a portion of the patient's knee cap.
You’ve reached your limit of free articles. Already a subscriber? Log in.
Not a subscriber? Subscribe today to continue reading this article. Plus, you’ll get:
  • Simple explanations of current healthcare regulations and payer programs
  • Real-world reporting scenarios solved by our expert coders
  • Industry news, such as MAC and RAC activities, the OIG Work Plan, and CERT reports
  • Instant access to every article ever published in your eNewsletter
  • 6 annual AAPC-approved CEUs*
  • The latest updates for CPT®, ICD-10-CM, HCPCS Level II, NCCI edits, modifiers, compliance, technology, practice management, and more
*CEUs available with select eNewsletters.

Other Articles in this issue of

Orthopedic Coding Alert

View All