Wiki Question on Orthopedic Surgical Coding

[SGENR@AOL.COM]

A physician coded a surgery: 27680 and 27658. It appears from all of the coding guidelines that 27680 is a column code for 27658, and modifier 59 should be added to 27680. The RVUs are higher for 27658. What is the correct coding order for this surgery?

 

[cindyhovi]

Question on Orthopedic Surgical Coding

According to AAOS, 27680 is considered part of 27658 assuming it is for the same tendon. If not and it is separate tendons, then 27658 and then 27680-59. This is true with almost all tenolysis and tendon repair codes.

 

[SydneyO]

I agree, 27658 includes 27680 so you will want to bill this one only. You can only bill both if it's a separate encounter, provider, structure, or they are non-overlapping services. If each of the two procedures were performed on different sides of the body then you would append modifier XS and bill both. Hope this helps!