ggparker14
True Blue
- Messages
- 634
- Best answers
- 0
Does anyone know if you can use code 29875 with a modifier 51 or 59 along with 29881?
The physician wanted it coded 29875, 29879, 29881, but I know that you can only bill one thing per compartment. The synovectomy was in the anterior compartment, but is listed as a separate procedure and the menisectomy was in the medial compartment.
I have an op note that reads: The lateral compartment was entered. There was seen early chondromalacia class II on the lateral compartment. The lateral meniscus was intact. The anterior compartment was entered. There was marked synovial reaction extending to the medial compartment. The motorized resector was introducted in order to debride the anterior compartment's synovitis in order to visualize. The medial compartment was entered. There was seen extensive chondrosis of the medial femoral condyle with subchondral bone exposure, loose fragments of cartilage were observed. The area compromising athe majority of weightbearing portion of medial femoral condyle. There was a complex tear involving the body and posterior horn of the medial meniscus. Motorized resector was introduced and the medial meniscus was resected in its body and posterior horn back to a stable rim. The bipolar Bovie was introduced and contouring of the residual body and posterior horn of the medial meniscus was carried off. Turning the medial femoral condyle, removing the residual margins of the loose articular cartilage showed an even larger exposure subchondral bone. Using a small pick, the chondral surface medial femoral condyle in the area of exposed subchondral bone was drilled on numerous locations getting good bleeding subchondral bone.
The physician wanted it coded 29875, 29879, 29881, but I know that you can only bill one thing per compartment. The synovectomy was in the anterior compartment, but is listed as a separate procedure and the menisectomy was in the medial compartment.
I have an op note that reads: The lateral compartment was entered. There was seen early chondromalacia class II on the lateral compartment. The lateral meniscus was intact. The anterior compartment was entered. There was marked synovial reaction extending to the medial compartment. The motorized resector was introducted in order to debride the anterior compartment's synovitis in order to visualize. The medial compartment was entered. There was seen extensive chondrosis of the medial femoral condyle with subchondral bone exposure, loose fragments of cartilage were observed. The area compromising athe majority of weightbearing portion of medial femoral condyle. There was a complex tear involving the body and posterior horn of the medial meniscus. Motorized resector was introduced and the medial meniscus was resected in its body and posterior horn back to a stable rim. The bipolar Bovie was introduced and contouring of the residual body and posterior horn of the medial meniscus was carried off. Turning the medial femoral condyle, removing the residual margins of the loose articular cartilage showed an even larger exposure subchondral bone. Using a small pick, the chondral surface medial femoral condyle in the area of exposed subchondral bone was drilled on numerous locations getting good bleeding subchondral bone.