Orthopedic Coding Alert

Question: Encounter notes indicate that the provider performed two arthrodesis surgeries: one on the left elbow joint (local) and one on the left wrist (complete, no graft). How should I report this encounter?

Michigan Subscriber

Answer: On your claim, you’d report:

• 24800 (Arthrodesis, elbow joint; local) for the elbow arthrodesis.
• 25800 (Arthrodesis, wrist; complete, without bone graft (includes radiocarpal and/or intercarpal and/ or carpometacarpal joints)) for the wrist arthrodesis.
• Modifier LT (Left side) appended to 25800 and 24800 to indicate laterality for the arthrodeses.
• Modifier 51 (Multiple procedures) appended to 25800 to show that the wrist and elbow arthrodeses were separate procedures.