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Orthopedic Coding Alert

You Be the Coder:

Ligament Repair

Published on Fri Sep 01, 2000

Test your coding knowledge. Determine how you would code this situation before looking at the box below for the answer.



Question: Does an intrasubstance shrinking of the anterior cruciate ligament get coded as 29888 (arthroscopically aided anterior cruciate ligament repair/augmentation or reconstruction)? The physician used an Arthotec Wand.

Leigh Ann Andrews
Ruston, La.


Answer: In arthroscopic shrinkage of the anterior cruciate ligament, an electro-thermal device is used to contract or shrink the ligament in an attempt to stabilize the knee joint. At this time, there is no CPT code that describes this procedure; therefore, it is appropriate to report the unlisted arthroscopy code 29909 (unlisted procedure, arthroscopy). When reporting an unlisted procedure code, supporting documentation must be submitted with the claim. You may have better results if you submit the operative report along with a letter that describes the procedure in laymans terms and includes information about the time, expertise and special equipment required to provide the service.

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