Wiki Help on knee surgery

[amartinez1]

Synovectomy of medial, lateral, and patellofemoral joint
chondroplasty of lateral tibial plateua to remove loose articular cartilage.
Chondroplasty of medial femoral condyle to remove sliver of loose articular cartilage.

I have coded this as 29876-extensive synovectomy since more than one compartment was done and did not code for the chondroplasty since synovectomy was done in same compartment of the chondroplasty and i was told you should not double dip.

The physician thinks it should be coded as 29877- for the medial and lateral chondroplasty and 29875-for synovectomy done in the patellofemoral joint. Any suggestions i think my doctor may be right after reading some past articles would like another opinion. Thanks

 

[campy1961]

Well without reading the op note 29876 would be correct for the extensive synovectomy but you can also code 29877 as a G0289 w/ a mod 59. Most carriers are now accepting the G0289.

Hope this helps.

 

[coders_rock!]

G0289 is not billable

In this case, G0289 is not appropriate. G0289 can be used when a chondroplasty and/or removal of loose bodies are performed in a separate compartment by itself. Since this is not the case. G0289 should not be billed.

I would only bill 29876.