AMA CPT® Assistant - 2016 Issue 11 (November)
Surgery: Musculoskeletal System (Q&A) (November 2016)
November 2016 page 9 Surgery: Musculoskeletal System Question: Our surgeon performed a revision arthroscopic anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. The patient previously had an arthroscopic anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction performed by another surgeon and sustained another injury that ruptured the graft. As part of the revision procedure, our surgeon removed the graft and fixation screws that were implanted by the other surgeon. In addition to reporting code 29888 , Arthroscopically aided anterior cruciate ligament repair/augmentation or reconstruction, for the revision reconstruction, is it appropriate to report code 20680 , Removal of implant; deep (eg, buried wire, pin, screw, metal band, nail, rod...
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Article Overview
This article reviews selected musculoskeletal surgery coding questions from CPT Assistant and is aimed at coding professionals, billers, and auditors who work with operative reports and surgical coding policy. It focuses on how the article discusses procedure categorization, separate reporting considerations, and the use of unlisted reporting when no specific CPT code is available. The content is relevant to readers seeking general guidance on musculoskeletal surgery coding topics covered in a November 2016 Q&A format.
Why This Topic Matters
Musculoskeletal surgical cases often involve multiple procedures and coding distinctions that affect claim reporting. This article is useful for understanding the types of guidance CPT Assistant provides for complex orthopedic scenarios.
Article Sections
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November 2016 page 9
Introductory page header for the musculoskeletal surgery Q&A content in this issue.
What You Will Learn
- How the article frames selected musculoskeletal surgery coding questions from a Q&A format
- Which general procedure categories are addressed in the article
- How the article treats scenarios involving revision surgery, fracture repair, and unlisted reporting
- What types of documentation considerations are mentioned for procedures without a specific code
Who Should Read This
- Professional coders
- Coding auditors
- Billing staff
- Orthopedic surgery coding specialists
- Revenue cycle professionals
Codes Discussed
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