Orthopedic Coding Alert
When First Procedure Fails, Do This
Question: Our surgeon performed a total knee replacement, but after the glue hardened, the exam showed that the knee was unstable. The surgeon then did a revision of both components, but he performed all of these procedures during the same OR session. Should we use 27447 and 27487-58? Kentucky Subscriber Answer: When your surgeon must perform more than one procedure to complete a successful surgery, you should only report the code for the procedure that accomplishes the intended outcome. In this case, that would be 27447 (Arthroplasty, knee, condyle and plateau; medial AND lateral compartments with or without patella resurfacing [total knee arthroplasty]). Because the patient did not leave the operating room between surgeries, you cannot report 27487-58 (Revision of total knee arthroplasty, with or without allograft; femoral and entire tibial component; Staged or related procedure or service by the same physician or other qualified health care professional during the postoperative period) in addition to 27447. Remember, you should not code for treating errors a physician might have made.
Orthopedic Coding Alert
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When First Procedure Fails, Do This
Question: Our surgeon performed a total knee replacement, but after the glue hardened, the exam showed [...]
