Stay up to date: Review orthopedic procedures removed from the IPO list

Why This Topic Matters

CMS policy changes can alter where procedures are payable and how coders assign diagnosis and procedure codes. Reviewing these updates helps coding staff stay aligned with current outpatient, ASC, and Medicare guidance for orthopedic services.

Article Sections

1. CMS 2021 OPPS and inpatient-only list changes

   Overview of the broader policy update affecting procedures removed from the inpatient-only list and newly covered in ambulatory surgical centers. Includes the general Medicare and outpatient payment context for the year.

2. THA

   Discussion of total hip arthroplasty as one of the procedures affected by the policy change. Covers diagnosis coding, CPT reporting, and general postoperative follow-up topics.

3. ICD-10-CM coding

   Broad diagnosis categories associated with hip arthroplasty are summarized in this section. It explains the clinical context for selecting diagnosis codes without giving detailed coding rules.

4. Surgery and CPT coding

   Procedural and reporting considerations for total hip arthroplasty are discussed at a high level. The section also notes documentation and coding topics relevant to the procedure.

5. Postoperative care

   General follow-up and recovery considerations after hip replacement are covered here. The section addresses care coordination and postoperative monitoring topics.

6. ACI

   Discussion of autologous chondrocyte implantation as the second procedure affected by the policy change. Covers its outpatient relevance, associated diagnosis coding, and CPT reporting at a broad level.

7. Surgery and CPT coding

   High-level explanation of the procedure workflow and reporting considerations for autologous chondrocyte implantation. The section focuses on the coding and documentation context for this orthopedic service.

8. Postoperative care

   General recovery considerations after autologous chondrocyte implantation are summarized. It highlights follow-up care and rehabilitation topics without detailing specific coding decisions.