Orthopedic Coding Alert

YOU BE THE CODER:

How Should We Report Open Capsular Shift?

Question: Our surgeon performed an anterior reconstruction of the shoulder with a capsular shift as an open procedure. How should we report this?


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Answer: You should report 23466 (Capsulorrhaphy, glenohumeral joint, any type multi-directional instability) for the open procedure.

Physicians perform inferior capsular shift to treat multi-directional shoulder instability. If the physician ever performs the procedure arthroscopically, you should instead report 29806 (Arthroscopy, shoulder, surgical; capsulorrhaphy).

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