AMA CPT® Assistant - 2015 Issue 2 (February)
Arthrocentesis (Codes 20600-20611) (February 2015)
February 2015 pages 6-8 Arthrocentesis (Codes 20600 - 20611 ) For safety and better patient outcomes, ultrasound as an imaging technology is often used in musculoskeletal medicine as an extension of the physical examination for accuracy of intra-articular placement of the needle. For the Current Procedural Terminology (CPT ® ) 2015 code set, three new codes and three revised codes were created for arthrocentesis. New codes 20604 , 20606 , and 20611 describe arthrocentesis, aspiration and/or injection small, intermediate, major joint or bursa with ultrasound guidance, with permanent recording and reporting. Revised codes 20600 , 20605 , and 20610 describe arthrocentesis, aspiration and/or...
Subscribe or sign in to view the full article.
Article Overview
This CPT Assistant article explains February 2015 updates for arthrocentesis reporting in the CPT 2015 code set. It is useful for coders, billers, and clinical documentation staff who need to understand the scope of the revised and new arthrocentesis codes, related imaging guidance references, and the documentation themes discussed in the article.
Why This Topic Matters
The article matters because it summarizes a coding update that affects how arthrocentesis services are documented and reported, especially when imaging guidance is involved. It helps readers understand the broader structure of the changes and the types of related guidance discussed in the official CPT Assistant explanation.
Article Sections
-
February 2015 pages 6-8
A brief article overview introducing the CPT 2015 arthrocentesis update and the context for the changes discussed.
-
Revised Codes
Discussion of the CPT 2015 revisions affecting existing arthrocentesis reporting and the relationship between parent and child code structure.
-
New Codes
Explanation of the new CPT arthrocentesis codes introduced for 2015 and the general documentation themes tied to ultrasound-guided services.
-
Clinical Example (20604) / Description of Procedure (20604)
A clinical illustration and procedural narrative for a small-joint arthrocentesis scenario with ultrasound guidance.
-
Clinical Example (20606) / Description of Procedure (20606)
A clinical illustration and procedural narrative for an intermediate-joint arthrocentesis scenario with ultrasound guidance.
-
Clinical Example (20611) / Description of Procedure (20611)
A clinical illustration and procedural narrative for a major-joint arthrocentesis scenario with ultrasound guidance.
What You Will Learn
- How the 2015 CPT arthrocentesis update is organized
- Which arthrocentesis services were revised versus newly added
- What related imaging guidance references are discussed
- How the article frames documentation themes for ultrasound-guided procedures
- What kinds of clinical examples are used to illustrate the update
Who Should Read This
- Medical coders
- Billing staff
- Practice managers
- Clinical documentation specialists
- Musculoskeletal medicine staff
Codes Discussed
Code Ranges Discussed
Subscribe or sign in to view the full article.
Quick, Current, Complete - www.findacode.com
