Wiki Diagnostic and Procedure coding

[chankim]

If a diagnostic knee arthroscopy procedure was completed but the provider, then also completed a arthroscopy meniscus repair. Would you code both the diagnostic arthroscopy and the repair?

 

[amyjph]

What happens if you run both codes through an NCCI checker? Look at the CPT code description for diagnostic knee arthroscopy, it states (separate procedure), consult the coding book for the definition of separate procedure.

Also see: Medicare NCCI 2022 Coding Policy Manual – Chap4CPTCodes -20000-29999 https://www.cms.gov/files/document/chapter4cptcodes20000-29999final11.pdf
E. Arthroscopy 1. Surgical arthroscopy includes diagnostic arthroscopy which is not separately reportable. If a diagnostic arthroscopy leads to a surgical arthroscopy at the same patient encounter, only the surgical arthroscopy may be reported.

 

[hannahevola]

I would code the arthroscopic meniscus repair only (29882 or 29883 depending on medial and/or lateral). Diagnostic knee arthroscopy 29870 is included in both 29882 and 29883.