Coding for Arthroscopic Knee Surgery
Arthroscopy is a minimally invasive surgical procedure on a joint in which an examination and sometimes treatment of damage is performed using an arthroscope, an endoscope that is inserted into the joint through a small incision. Arthroscopic procedures can be performed durin…
Your doctor may recommend that you undergo a knee arthroscopy if you’re experiencing knee pain. Your doctor might have already diagnosed the condition causing your pain, or they may order the arthroscopy to help find a diagnosis. In either case, an arthroscopy is a useful way for doctors to confirm the source of knee pain and treat the problem.
If you’re experiencing knee pain that isn’t improving with time, loss of motion, swelling or redness in the knee, Joseph Thomas MD, an orthopedic surgeon at the TriHealth Orthopedic and Spine Institute, says to make an appointment with your doctor. From there, your surgeon may recommend arthroscopic knee surgery.
The recovery usually isn't painful. Arthroscopic surgery may provide short-term relief from pain and possibly delay more complex surgery. If you have tried all other osteoarthritis treatment options and still have knee pain, your doctor may suggest knee replacement. It can help reduce your pain and improve your ability to move.
Arthroscopic surgical procedure converted to open procedure Z53. 33 is a billable/specific ICD-10-CM code that can be used to indicate a diagnosis for reimbursement purposes. The 2022 edition of ICD-10-CM Z53. 33 became effective on October 1, 2021.
According to CPT, code 29877 (Arthroscopy, knee, surgical; debridement/shaving of articular cartilage [chondroplasty]) should be reported to indicate the performance of an arthroscopic chondroplasty in the medial, lateral, and/or patellofemoral compartment(s).
ICD-10: Z96. 651, Status (post), organ replacement, by artificial or mechanical device or prosthesis of, joint, knee-see presence of knee joint implant. ICD-10: R26.
Other specified postprocedural statesICD-10 code Z98. 89 for Other specified postprocedural states is a medical classification as listed by WHO under the range - Factors influencing health status and contact with health services .
Arthroscopy (ahr-THROS-kuh-pee) is a procedure for diagnosing and treating joint problems. A surgeon inserts a narrow tube attached to a fiber-optic video camera through a small incision — about the size of a buttonhole. The view inside your joint is transmitted to a high-definition video monitor.
CPT® code 29880 reports a meniscectomy in both the medial and lateral compartments, while CPT® code 29881 indicates a meniscectomy in either the medial or lateral compartment.
Z96. 651 - Presence of right artificial knee joint. ICD-10-CM.
ICD-10-CM Code for Encounter for surgical aftercare following surgery on specified body systems Z48. 81.
Z48. 81 - Encounter for surgical aftercare following surgery on specified body systems. ICD-10-CM.
ICD-10 Code for Atherosclerotic heart disease of native coronary artery without angina pectoris- I25. 10- Codify by AAPC.
811 - Encounter for surgical aftercare following surgery on the nervous system.
62.
Treatment can also occur through the arthroscope by creating additional small incisions and inserting instruments such as scissors, shavers, or lasers. Almost all arthoscopic procedures are done on an outpatient basis.
There are four knee ligaments: anterior cruciate, posterior cruciate, medial collateral, and lateral collateral. Current sprains and strains of the knee are classified to category 844. The fourth digit will classify the ligament involved. A torn, ruptured, or detached ligament is also included in category 844.
The fifth character identifies the approach. Arthroscopy would be considered percutaneous endoscopic, which is defined as entry, by puncture or minor incision, of instrumentation through the skin or mucous membrane and any other body layers necessary to reach and visualize the site of the procedure.
A fifth digit is required to identify the ligament involved. Tearing of knee cartilage or meniscus: The wedge-shaped pieces of cartilage in the knee joint are called meniscus and act as shock absorbers. They can tear in different ways and are classified by how they look and where the tear occurs.
According to Coding Clinic, surgical approaches (eg, scopes) are not coded if a more definitive procedure is performed. Therefore, if a procedure was done via a scope, assign a code for the procedure ...
An important HCPCS code is G0289, Arthroscopy, knee, surgical, for removal of loose body, debridement/shaving of articular cartilage (chondroplasty) at the time of other surgical knee arthroscopy in a different compartment of the same knee. This code is used for Medicare to report the procedure in that description, when performed in a separate compartment of the knee during the same operative session. It is not appropriate to use code 29877 even with a modifier.
Slippery and flexible, hyaline (articular) cartilage within the knee joint allows, has less friction than two pieces of glass placed together. This allows the joint to move with minimal friction in a healthy knee. There are two primary types of cartilage in the knee:
29880 Arthroscopy medial and lateral meniscectomy G0289 for the Arthroscopic removal of a loose body in a separate compartment 29880 is coded for the medial AND lateral meniscectomy Since the loose body removal was done in a separate compartment (patellofemoral), the G0289 is coded.
“From a CPT® coding perspective, if debridement or shaving of articular cartilage and meniscectomy are performed in the same compartment of the knee, then only code 29881, Arthroscopy, knee, surgical; with meniscectomy (medial or lateral, including any meniscal shaving), should be reported. However, if debridement or shaving of articular cartilage is performed in one compartment of the knee and a meniscectomy is performed in a different compartment of the knee, then codes 29877, Arthroscopy, knee, surgical; debridement/shaving of articular cartilage (chondroplasty), and 29881 should be reported.”
29876 for the extensive synovectomy is the only code reported. G0289 for the loose body is NOT CODED because the synovectomy was done in the same compartment as the loose body and therefore it was not in a separate compartment and is not to be coded.
An important HCPCS code is G0289, Arthroscopy, knee, surgical, for removal of loose body, debridement/shaving of articular cartilage (chondroplasty) at the time of other surgical knee arthroscopy in a different compartment of the same knee.
Arthroscopy: Knee arthroscopy allows the physician to visualize the joint space of the knee using a fiberoptic en doscope. (An endoscope is basically a long tube with a lens at each end. Endoscopes used to visualize joint spaces are call arthroscopes). This Technology also allows the physician to perform arthroscopic surgery using.
29880 - Arthroscopy, knee, surgical; with meniscectomy (medial AND lateral, including any meniscal shaving) 29881 - Arthroscopy, knee, surgical; with meniscectomy (medial OR lateral, including any meniscal shaving) Note: Some times a physician may indicate he did a meniscus repair when he really meant a meniscectomy.
However, if debridement or shaving of articular cartilage is performed in one compartment of the knee and a meniscectomy is performed in a different compartment of the knee, then codes 29877, Arthroscopy, knee, surgical; debridement/shaving of articular cartilage (chondroplasty), and 29881 should be reported.
procedure. Arthroscopic knee surgery usually involved at least two incisions. The first incision is made on the lateral side of the patellar incision-this is where the arthroscope is inserted. Additional incisions are made, one on the medial side of the patellar tendon and other as needed, for the insertion of surgical instruments.
An arthroscopy with a medial meniscectomy and shaving of the articular cartilage in the lateral compartment is performed on the left knee, commercial carrier. An arthroscopy with a medial meniscectomy and shaving of the articular cartilage in the lateral compartment is performed on the left knee, Medicare patient.
CPT codes, descriptions and other data only are copyright 2021 American Medical Association. All Rights Reserved. Applicable FARS/HHSARS apply.
This article is being published to update the provider community on coverage for Arthroscopic Lavage and Arthroscopic Debridement for Osteoarthritic Knees. National Coverage Determination (NCD) 150.9 issued in 2004 describes Medicare coverage for Arthroscopic Lavage and Arthroscopic Debridement for Osteoarthritic Knees.
Contractors may specify Bill Types to help providers identify those Bill Types typically used to report this service. Absence of a Bill Type does not guarantee that the article does not apply to that Bill Type.
Contractors may specify Revenue Codes to help providers identify those Revenue Codes typically used to report this service. In most instances Revenue Codes are purely advisory. Unless specified in the article, services reported under other Revenue Codes are equally subject to this coverage determination.