2017 CCI manual update: CCI warns against skirting code pairs; revises shoulder, imaging rules

Why This Topic Matters

The update affects how common procedure combinations are reviewed under Medicare’s correct coding edits and may influence claim submission practices for orthopedic surgery, casting services, spinal instrumentation, and diagnostic imaging. It also highlights where manual guidance was revised to align with claims edit changes.

Article Sections

1. General National Correct Coding Initiative policy update

   Overview of a new general policy statement added to the CCI manual and the broader context for the 2017 update. This section addresses how the manual frames Medicare’s review of same-day service patterns.

2. Shoulder debridement bundled with exceptions

   Discussion of updated guidance affecting shoulder arthroscopy edits and related procedure combinations. The section outlines the types of shoulder procedures addressed in the manual revision.

3. Other changes to the manual

   Summary of additional CCI manual updates spanning casting, spinal instrumentation, and imaging guidance. This section also covers several radiology-related policy clarifications and code-range references.