Stay Current when Reporting Shoulder Procedures
- By Ruby Woodward
- In Coding
- July 1, 2017
- Comments Off on Stay Current when Reporting Shoulder Procedures
Coding for shoulder procedures is evolving; keep up to date with the changes.
Coding for shoulder procedures has changed significantly since 2004. If you haven’t stayed current, chances are you are under- or over-coding. To make sure you recoup proper reimbursement, let’s address CPT® codes 29821, 29822, 29823, 29824, 29826, 29827, 29828, 29806, and 29807, as well as arthroscopic superior capsular reconstruction (ASCR).
Codes 29821-29823
Three shoulder codes, in particular, cause a lot of confusion:
29821 Arthroscopy, shoulder, surgical; synovectomy, complete
29822 debridement, limited
29823 debridement, extensive
The American Medical Association (AMA) and the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) agree that, to report 29821, the “entire intra-articular synovium” must be removed (CPT® Assistant, June 2013, and AAOS Bulletin, April 2006).
Regarding the difference between 29822 and 29823, most payers follow the April 2006 AAOS Bulletin guidelines, which state extensive debridement includes debridement of multiple soft structures, multiple hard structures, or a combination of both. Here are three examples of extensive debridement:
- A chondroplasty and a debridement of the labrum (a combination of hard and soft structures)
- An abrasion arthroplasty (microfracturing/drilling down to bleeding bone) and a biceps tenotomy (a combination of hard and soft structures) (see CPT® Assistant, September 2012)
- Debridement of a biceps tendon and a partial thickness rotator cuff tear (multiple soft structures)
The December 2016 CPT® Assistant further clarifies that an extensive debridement “additionally includes removal of osteochondral and/or chondral loose bodies, biceps tendon and rotator cuff debridement, and abrasion arthroplasty.”
Do not separately report the debridement if the surgeon also repairs the debrided structures. Also, most payers consider the labrum to be one structure, and do not divide it into upper or lower portions for debridement.
As of July 1, 2016, (and as further clarified in the updated National Correct Coding Initiative (NCCI) guidelines effective Jan. 1, 2017), 29823 may be reported separately with 29827 Arthroscopy, shoulder, surgical; with rotator cuff repair, 29828 Arthroscopy, shoulder, surgical; biceps tenodesis, and 29824 Arthroscopy, shoulder, surgical; distal claviculectomy including distal articular surface (Mumford procedure).
With few exceptions, NCCI edits bundle arthroscopic debridement into all arthroscopic surgical codes for the joint being worked on. For example, when performing a superior labral tear from anterior to posterior (SLAP) repair (29807 Arthroscopy, shoulder, surgical; repair of SLAP lesion) and a debridement of a rotator cuff tear and biceps tear (29823), you cannot separately report 29823, per NCCI guidelines, because the debridement is considered inclusive (unless it’s for the opposite shoulder; see NCCI guidelines, chapter 4).
Bonus tip: For arthroscopic rotator cuff repair with debridement of the biceps tendon and debridement of the labrum, along with a bony acromioplasty, you may report 29827, +29826 Arthroscopy, shoulder, surgical; decompression of subacromial space with partial acromioplasty, with coracoacromial ligament (ie, arch) release, when performed (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure), and 29823 because the bundling edit is removed from 29827 and 29823.
Codes 29824 and 29826
When reporting 29824, documentation should support that the entire distal end of the clavicle was resected. Neither CPT® nor the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) state how much bone must be removed to be considered the “entire” distal end. The AMA provided a clinical example when 29824 was first developed — but it was strictly an example, and not all-inclusive of the requirements for reporting. For years, AAOS referenced size in their CodeX and Global Service Data books to be sure surgeons were not reporting 29824 for removing only a spur. Since 2010, however, all “size” references were deleted from AAOS publications.
Many offices have stopped reporting 29824 unless there is a documented reference to size, but this is a mistake. If there is a question as to whether a procedure was done, query the surgeon. Some payers have placed size references in their own internal policies, but that is a payer-contracted issue.
CPT® made 29826 an add-on code several years ago; however, some payers — especially workers’ compensation carriers — have retained 29826 as a full-value code. You may want to double-check this with your contracted payers, also. Per CPT®, +29826 may be reported only with other shoulder arthroscopy codes. Medicare agrees, and allows +29826 to be reported with all other shoulder arthroscopy codes, including 29822 and 29823. Be sure there is clear documentation that bony work was performed on the acromion to support +29826.
Many payers are now requiring a “bony tool” to be referenced in the body of the report for +29826 to be paid. Documentation of converting the acromion from a type 3 to a type 1 can also be beneficial to support this code.
If only a subacromial bursectomy is performed, without any bone resection, report a debridement, not +29826.
Many surgeons continue to perform arthroscopic subacromial decompression alone, or with open shoulder procedures. The AAOS, the Arthroscopy Association of North America, and the AMA advise to report this scenario with an arthroscopic debridement code, 29822 (soft tissue only) or 29823 (bone and soft tissue). If done with an open rotator cuff repair (23410/23412), many payers do not allow separate reimbursement for acromioplasty, regardless of approach with an open or mini-open rotator cuff repair. Check payer policy (and get something in writing) before billing acromioplasty as a debridement code.
Codes 29827 and 29828
Only one rotator cuff repair code is allowed, per shoulder. Whether one or all four components that make up the rotator cuff (supraspinatus, infraspinatus, teres minor, and subscapularis (SITS)) are repaired in a single shoulder, report a single unit of 29827.
If the surgeon begins a rotator cuff repair arthroscopically, but converts to a mini-open approach to finish, report only the appropriate “open” CPT® code (23410 Repair of ruptured musculotendinous cuff (eg, rotator cuff) open; acute or 23412 Repair of ruptured musculotendinous cuff (eg, rotator cuff) open; chronic). You may report 23410/23412 with modifier 22 Unusual procedural service appended to account for the arthroscopic work done prior to the open portion. Do not report both the open and arthroscopic codes because the work was in the same anatomic location and same session, which does not support the definition of modifier 59 Distinct procedural service.
ASCR is a newer arthroscopic procedure for an irreparable rotator cuff. This procedure involves placement of a fascia lata or similar graft that is attached to the top of the glenoid and greater tuberosity of the humerus. This is not a side to side or reattachment of the cuff tissue; it involves placement of graft material, which makes it a reconstruction, not a repair. There is no CPT® code to describe this procedure. Per the AMA Coding Committee, CPT® guidelines, and April 2017 CPT® Assistant, ASCR may be reported as an unlisted procedure (29999 Unlisted procedure, arthroscopy). It’s inappropriate to report ASCR using 29827 (either with or without modifier 22).
Code 29828 Arthroscopy, shoulder, surgical; biceps tenodesis represents an arthroscopic biceps tenodesis. A mini-open biceps tenodesis should be coded as open with 23430 Tenodesis of long tendon of biceps.
Prior to biceps tenodesis, the surgeon often debrides and cuts the biceps (tenotomy). This is inclusive to the tenodesis, so do not report it separately.
Biceps tenodesis, or transferring the attachment of the biceps to the humerus (23430/29828), may be reported separately, according to CPT® Assistant (July 2016), and is not part of a normal rotator cuff repair.
Codes 29806 and 29807
When 29806 Arthroscopy, shoulder, surgical; capsulorrhaphy and 29807 were developed, William Beach, MD, of the AAOS Coding Committee stated the goal was to divide the labrum in half (29807 upper half, 29806 lower half). Ideally, the surgeon documents where on the labrum the work was performed; referencing “clock” positions is the best form of documentation. For example, “The patient had a labrum tear from 11 o’clock to 2 o’clock, with tacks/anchors/etc. placed at 11, 1, and 2 o’clock.” This documentation indicates the surgeon worked on the upper half of the labrum code, and supports 29807.
NCCI now bundles codes 29806 and 29807, and only allows one per shoulder, per session. Per the AAOS Bulletin, for top and bottom repairs of the labrum at the same session, append modifier 22 to the code to acknowledge the additional work performed. Check with private payers, as well as workers’ compensation carriers, to see if they allow either 29806 or 29807 on the same shoulder.
NCCI also bundles 29806 and 29827, and will only allow one of the codes per shoulder, per session.
To indicate procedures on different shoulders, you may use modifiers LT Left side and RT Right side. You can read about this issue under NCCI guidelines, chapter 4.
Remplissage (meaning “to fill in”) is becoming more common for a posterior Hill-Sachs lesion following an anterior dislocation. The surgeon fills in the lesion by capsulodesis and a tenodesis of the infraspinatus. The remplissage is considered inclusive to the Bankhart, according to the AAOS; however, American Hospital Association’s (AHA) Coding Clinic for HCPCS (third quarter, 2016) advises reporting both the capsulorrhaphy (29806) and an unlisted arthroscopy code (29999) for the remplissage procedure. This will come down to payer policy.
Keep Up with Updates
Coders, billers, and surgeons must stay up to date with information from official sources such as the AMA/CPT®, CMS, and specialty societies such as AAOS. Check your contracted payers’ policies quarterly to see if they have changed or updated their requirements.
Resources
CPT® Assistant, 2013, July 2016, December 2016, April 2017
AAOS Bulletin, April 2006
NCCI guidelines, chapter 4: www.cms.gov/Medicare/Coding/NationalCorrectCodInitEd/Downloads/2017-NCCI-Policy-Manual.zip
AHA Coding Clinic for HCPCS, third quarter, 2016
Co-written by Ruby Woodward and Margie Scalley Vaught
Margie Scalley Vaught, CPC, COC, CPC-I, CCS-P, PCE, MCS-P, ACS-EM, ACS-OR, has over 30+ years of experience in the healthcare arena, with 25 of those years in orthopedics. She served as an AAPC National Advisory Board member for over 3 years. From 1998-2014, Vaught has been providing consulting services to CodeCorrect.com/Medassets.com. She also contributes and writes articles for the AAOS Bulletin and other journals. Vaught is a member of the Olympia, Wash., local chapter.
- Message from AAPCCA Leadership - December 3, 2018
- Stay Current when Reporting Shoulder Procedures - July 1, 2017
Please advise on how to bill for just an arthroscopic biceps tendon tenotomy when arthroscopic biceps tenodesis is not performed?
Our surgeons do mini open RCR 23412 and arthroscopic debridement 29822 vs 29823 based on documentation. After an audit we were told that acromioplasty is a bundled service, as is any other debridement in the subacromial space. (In 2012 when 29826 became a add on code we were told to bill 29822 or 29823 but I guess that is incorrect per the audit) So now in order to bill code 29822 /29823 we look for debridement done with the labrum, biceps, chondromalacia, synovitis, or debridement of a RC tendon that is separate from the one being repaired. If all are normal we only bill the open RCR. My question is when the Arthroscope is in the articular space and they use an oscillating shaver to debride the edge of the RC tear and then the greater tuberosity was decorticated back to bleeding bone bed can this be billed using the debridement codes? We have been told in the past that this is also part of the open RCR. Confusing because this is done thru the scope and not the open procedure, but something done every procedure so would make since. I know the debridement of the RC tear cannot be considered because it is the one being repaired but what about the greater tuberosity? I’m looking to only billing the 23412 but the facility is billing 29823 also and I don’t understand where they are coming from.
When a rotator cuff repair, decompression of subacromial space and debridement of labrum and biceps tendon, all done arthroscopically.Labrum and Biceps were frayed.
I would like to know if 29823 can be used in this situation?
29827, 29823, 29826.
I am struggling with this and need an answer, thank you so much for your help.
Per CPT Assistants (Sept 2012 and Jan 2018) if you are doing a biceps tenotomy without doing a biceps tenodesis it falls under the debridement codes 29823 or 29822 depending on what else is being debrided.
Per CMS/Medicare you will find that when an open RCR is doing along with a scope acromioplasty they will bundle the two codes. Also per CPT it states that 29826 can only be reported with another scope code not an open code. Per NCCI chapter 4 it does state that arthroscopic debridement is considered inclusive in all other scope procedures. You will find that there is a CPT Assistant that states to report 23410/23412 with 29826; but then you will find an AAOS Bulletin that states to put a modifier 22 on the open code to take into consideration any additional work done via scope.
Regarding 29823– There is an April 2006 AAOS Bulletin that states “Code 29823 should be used only for extensive debridement of soft or hard tissue. It includes a chondroplasty of the humeral head or glenoid and associated osteophytes or multiple soft tissue structures that are debrided such as labrum, subscapularis and supraspinatus.” I recently found that Orthonet had this on an EOB (there aren’t compartments in the shoulder) “an extensive debridement is defined as a debridement of the posterior and anterior compartments, chondroplasty, bone debridement, or soft tissue in multiple areas where no other work was performed.” And then AAOS told CMS back in 2015 “the shoulder is a complex anatomic structure comprised of three joints and two articulations; the glenohumeral, acromioclavicular and sternoclavicular joints and the subacromial and scapulothoracic bursae….AAOS contends, however, that where there is legitimate pathology and physician work, reporting services should be allowed.” In your example of debriding the labrum and biceps those are considered two soft structures.
Per CPT Assistants (Sept 2012 and Jan 2018) if you are doing a biceps tenotomy without doing a biceps tenodesis it falls under the debridement codes 29823 or 29822 depending on what else is being debrided.
Per CMS/Medicare you will find that when an open RCR is doing along with a scope acromioplasty they will bundle the two codes. Also per CPT it states that 29826 can only be reported with another scope code not an open code. Per NCCI chapter 4 it does state that arthroscopic debridement is considered inclusive in all other scope procedures. You will find that there is a CPT Assistant that states to report 23410/23412 with 29826; but then you will find an AAOS Bulletin that states to put a modifier 22 on the open code to take into consideration any additional work done via scope.
Regarding 29823– There is an April 2006 AAOS Bulletin that states “Code 29823 should be used only for extensive debridement of soft or hard tissue. It includes a chondroplasty of the humeral head or glenoid and associated osteophytes or multiple soft tissue structures that are debrided such as labrum, subscapularis and supraspinatus.” I recently found that Orthonet had this on an EOB (there aren’t compartments in the shoulder) “an extensive debridement is defined as a debridement of the posterior and anterior compartments, chondroplasty, bone debridement, or soft tissue in multiple areas where no other work was performed.” And then AAOS told CMS back in 2015 “the shoulder is a complex anatomic structure comprised of three joints and two articulations; the glenohumeral, acromioclavicular and sternoclavicular joints and the subacromial and scapulothoracic bursae….AAOS contends, however, that where there is legitimate pathology and physician work, reporting services should be allowed.” In your example of debriding the labrum and biceps those are considered two soft structures.