May 2019 page 10a
Surgery: Musculoskeletal System
Question: What is the appropriate code(s) to report open and arthroscopic repair of meniscal root, which are performed in addition to a meniscus repair?
Answer: CPT code 29882, Arthroscopy, knee, surgical; with meniscus repair (medial OR lateral), should be reported if the meniscal root repair is performed arthroscopically. Code 27403, Arthrotomy with meniscal repair, knee, should be reported if the repair is performed as an open surgical procedure. It would not be appropriate to report both codes because the meniscal root is part of the meniscus, and meniscal-root injury is simply a...
Note: The following article synopsis was NOT provided by the AMA. It was created by Find-A-Code/innoviHealth.
Article Overview
This article addresses two musculoskeletal surgery coding scenarios discussed in CPT Assistant for May 2019. It focuses on how the guidance relates to knee meniscus repair and foot arthrodesis cases, and it is relevant to coders, billers, and compliance staff working with surgical CPT reporting.
Why This Topic Matters
The article helps readers understand how CPT Assistant discusses reporting for overlapping or component surgical services in musculoskeletal procedures. It is useful for professionals trying to determine whether a service should be considered separately reportable within a broader operative encounter.
Article Sections
May 2019 page 10a
Introduces the musculoskeletal surgery coding questions addressed in this CPT Assistant page.
What You Will Learn
The general CPT Assistant guidance topics covered in this musculoskeletal surgery article
How the article frames reporting issues for knee meniscus-related procedures
How the article frames reporting issues for arthrodesis and external fixation in foot surgery
What kinds of surgical coding questions are discussed in the May 2019 issue
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