Podiatry Coding & Billing Alert

Question: Is CPT^® 27691 the same as tendon transfer?

Missouri Subscriber

Answer: CPT^® code 27691 (Transfer or transplant of single tendon (with muscle redirection or rerouting); deep (eg, anterior tibial or posterior tibial through interosseous space, flexor digitorum longus, flexor hallucis longus, or peroneal tendon to midfoot or hindfoot)) is the correct code for the transfer of a single, deep tendon.

You will need to consult the practitioner’s documentation to be sure you are coding the procedure correctly and to verify that this is indeed a deep tendon transfer to use code 27691. If it is not a deep tendon transfer, you would use code 27690 (Transfer or transplant of single tendon (with muscle redirection or rerouting); superficial (eg, anterior tibial extensors into midfoot).

Don’t forget: You should also be using the add-on code +27692 (… each additional tendon) when the provider transfers additional tendons.