AMA CPT® Assistant - 2008 Issue 3 (March)
Surgery: Musculoskeletal System (March 2008)
March 2008 page 14c Surgery: Musculoskeletal System, 29827 (Q&A) Question: During an arthroscopic rotator cuff repair ( 29827 ), the surgeon made an additional incision or portal site for the purpose of repairing the subscapularis tendon. How should this be reported? Answer: The additional incision or portal site is not reported separately. The additional portal access for the repair of the subscapularis tendon is considered an inclusive component of code 29827 , Arthroscopy, shoulder, surgical; with rotator cuff repair . Code 29827 represents the repair of one, two, or three tendons. The number of portals made does not alter the...
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Article Overview
This article is a short CPT Assistant Q&A focused on musculoskeletal surgery coding. It discusses reporting considerations for an arthroscopic shoulder procedure when an additional portal or incision is used during repair, and it is aimed at coders, billing staff, and clinicians who document operative services. The piece is useful for understanding how CPT guidance treats procedure components and related operative access details in this scenario.
Why This Topic Matters
It helps readers recognize the scope of CPT guidance for a shoulder arthroscopy question and assess whether the article is relevant to operative reporting and documentation review.
What You Will Learn
- How a CPT Assistant Q&A addresses reporting questions for shoulder arthroscopy
- What type of operative documentation issue the article discusses
- How the article frames procedural components in a musculoskeletal surgery context
- How March 2008 CPT Assistant guidance may be relevant to coding review workflows
Who Should Read This
- Medical coders
- Coding auditors
- Billing staff
- Orthopedic surgery staff
- Documentation specialists
Codes Discussed
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