Question: An orthopedic surgeon arthroscopically removed an implant from the patient’s shoulder (the implant was suture anchored in the rotator cuff). How should we report this to Medicare?
Answer: You can submit 29819 (Arthroscopy, shoulder, surgical; with removal of loose body or foreign body).
Remember: Surgical arthroscopy always includes a diagnostic arthroscopy so you should never use a diagnostic code with a surgical CPT® code such as 29819.
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