Revenue Cycle Insider

Question: What is the correct code to use for a revision of a shoulder hemiarthroplasty done originally for a fracture? The hemiarthroplasty humerus stem has become loose and the practitioner is replacing it.

Washington Subscriber

Answer: After a while, these implants may shift out of place or fracture, requiring surgical intervention to remove and replace the older components to maintain normal joint movement. The surgeon may need to use tissue from a different area of the patient’s body, known as an allograft, to secure the newly installed prosthesis.

For the above scenario, you’ll assign 23473 (Revision of total shoulder arthroplasty, including allograft when performed; humeral or glenoid component) when the provider performs a shoulder arthroplasty revision that affects either the humeral (upper arm) or glenoid (shoulder socket) component.

On the other hand, if the physician revises both components of a total shoulder arthroplasty, then you’ll assign 23474 (… humeral and glenoid component) for the procedure.

Lindsey Bush, BA, MA, CPC, Production Editor, AAPC