Musculoskeletal, 21193-21196 (Q&A) (April 1996)

April 1996 page 11 Coding Consultation Musculoskeletal, 21193-21196 (Q&A) Question I noticed in my 1996 CPT book that the mandibular reconstruction codes ( 21193 - 21196 ) were changed this year, and now are to be used for a bilateral procedure. What code do I report for a unilateral procedure? Answer CPT codes 21193 and 21195 (as well as 21194 and 21196 ) were revised in CPT 1996 to more clearly define that these procedures are typically performed on both sides of the mandible, (eg, an osteotomy on the rami [plural] as opposed to the ramus [singular]). The...

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Note:  The following article synopsis was NOT provided by the AMA. It was created by Find-A-Code/innoviHealth.

Article Overview

This April 1996 CPT Assistant question-and-answer article addresses a musculoskeletal coding update involving mandibular reconstruction procedures in the 1996 CPT code set. It explains the nature of the revision, discusses the general reporting context for procedures performed on one versus both sides of the mandible, and notes payer follow-up considerations. The article is useful for coders, billers, and reimbursement staff working with surgical procedure coding and historical CPT changes.

Why This Topic Matters

It helps readers understand whether the article applies to mandibular reconstruction coding in the 1996 CPT update and provides context for reporting questions that arose from the revision.

Article Sections

  1. April 1996 page 11

    Publication and page information for the coding consultation article.

  2. Coding Consultation

    Introduces the Q&A format and the musculoskeletal coding topic addressed in the article.

  3. Question

    Presents a coding question about a 1996 CPT revision affecting mandibular reconstruction procedures.

  4. Answer

    Summarizes the article’s discussion of the CPT revision, the bilateral nature of the procedures, and related reporting context.

What You Will Learn

  • The scope of the 1996 CPT revision discussed in the article.
  • How the article frames reporting questions for mandibular reconstruction procedures.
  • The broader context for communicating with payors about procedure reporting.
  • How a CPT coding consultation article presents musculoskeletal guidance.

Who Should Read This

  • Medical coders
  • Coding auditors
  • Billing staff
  • Reimbursement specialists
  • Practice managers
  • Physician office staff

Codes Discussed

Code Ranges Discussed

Modifiers Discussed


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