decisionhealth Newsletters, Coder Pink Sheets - 2010 Issue 12 (December)
CPT 2011 – Use 20931 for threaded bone dowel in 2011
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Article Overview
This premium article explains a group of CPT 2011 updates affecting orthopedic, spine, incision, injection, and pelvic/hip procedures. It is useful for coders, billers, orthopedic practices, and compliance staff who need to understand which procedure categories were revised, which codes were deleted or replaced, and which related modifiers, notes, and fee schedule items were discussed. The article also touches on coding policy considerations and the way certain services are organized in the 2011 CPT framework.
Why This Topic Matters
CPT updates can change how common musculoskeletal and surgical services are reported, especially when code combinations, deletions, add-on codes, and parenthetical notes are involved. Understanding these updates helps reduce claim errors and supports accurate reporting under the current code set.
Article Sections
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Bone graft and instrumentation code changes
Discusses CPT 2011 changes affecting bone graft and spinal device reporting, including revisions to the related code family and accompanying editorial clarification.
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Cervical fusion and discectomy updates
Covers the new cervical spine coding structure and related reporting guidance for combined procedures and multi-surgeon scenarios.
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Incision code changes
Summarizes revisions to incision and drainage coding, including code deletion, redirected reporting, and wording changes affecting depth and specificity.
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Injection and pelvic/hip code revisions
Reviews additional CPT updates involving injection-related notes and revised pelvic and hip excision code language for anatomical clarity.
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Physician Fee Schedule RVUs for new musculoskeletal codes
Lists selected relative value unit information tied to newly introduced musculoskeletal procedure codes in the facility setting.
What You Will Learn
- Which CPT 2011 musculoskeletal and incision-related areas were revised
- How the article organizes code changes by procedure category
- What types of supporting guidance were added or modified
- Which new fee schedule information was included for selected codes
Who Should Read This
- Medical coders
- Medical billers
- Orthopedic practices
- Spine surgery practices
- Compliance staff
- Revenue cycle professionals
Codes Discussed
Code Ranges Discussed
Modifiers Discussed
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