Reader Question:
Turn To Unlisted Code for Notchplasty
Published on Tue Apr 24, 2012
Question: Our surgeon does the following procedures:1. Lateral & medial meniscectomy2. Intercondylar notch decompression using a burrCan we bundle 29884 since it is a seperate procedure or use 59 since it is in the patella?Ohio SubscriberAnswer: You report 29880 (Arthroscopy, knee, surgical; with meniscectomy [medial AND lateral, including any meniscal shaving] including debridement/shaving of articular cartilage [chondroplasty], same or separate compartment[s], when performed) for the lateral and medial meniscectomy. You may not be correct in reporting code 29884 (Arthroscopy, knee, surgical; with lysis of adhesions, with or without manipulation [separate procedure]) for the intercondylar notch decompression using a burr as a notchplasty is not the same as lysis of adhesions. There is no code for notchplasty and you will report 29999 (Unlisted procedure, arthroscopy).Some coders might think to assign code 29877 (Arthroscopy, knee, surgical; debridement/shaving of articular cartilage [chondroplasty]), which describes arthroscopy with debridement/shaving of articular cartilage (chondroplasty). Chondroplasty of [...]
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