CPT® 2021: Update Your Breast Reconstruction/Repair Coding Know-How

Why This Topic Matters

Accurate understanding of these annual code changes helps avoid outdated reporting and supports correct selection within a highly specific surgical code family. The article is relevant for anyone responsible for coding breast reconstruction, repair, implant-related procedures, or associated add-on services under CPT® 2021.

Article Sections

1. Check Out the Code Revisions, Deletions

   Overview of the major CPT® 2021 changes in the breast repair and reconstruction section, including revised code descriptors, deleted codes, and introductory updates.

2. Deconstruct Significant Mammoplasty and Implant Changes

   Discussion of the broader language updates affecting mammoplasty and implant-related descriptors, along with the categories of changes that distinguish related procedures.

3. Tissue Expander

   Explanation of how the tissue-expander code language was updated and how the related breast reconstruction framework is being clarified in CPT® 2021.

4. Augmentation:

   Coverage of the breast augmentation-related deletion and the associated text note directing attention to fat-grafting coding references.

5. Tighten Breast Reconstruction Understanding

   Review of the reconstruction code family, including parent-child structure, technique-based distinctions, deleted unspecified reporting, and revision to descriptor examples.

6. Revision codes

   Summary of the changes affecting breast revision codes and the kinds of revision-related topics addressed by the updated descriptors.

7. Guidelines

   Closing remarks noting that additional introduction and text-note updates exist beyond the article’s detailed scope and are covered elsewhere.