Orthopedic Coding Alert
Reader Question:
Narrow Hamstring Tenotomy Choices to this Code Trio
Published on Wed Apr 04, 2018
Question: Operative notes indicate that my orthopedist performed a knee-to-hip hamstring tenotomy on four tendons. I reported 27390 x 4 and received a denial. What did I do wrong? Florida Subscriber Answer: The code you reported, 27390 (Tenotomy, open, hamstring, knee to hip; single tendon), is only for single-tendon tenotomies. Whenever the surgeon performs multiple tenotomies, the coding opens up a bit. Go back to your notes and check the location of the tendons, along with the laterality of the procedure. Then, choose 27391 (... multiple tendons, 1 leg) or 27392 (... multiple tendons, bilateral) based on those notes.
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