Orthopedic Coding Alert

Question: A new patient sees the orthopedist because of shoulder problems. The physician schedules an MRI and the patient returns the following week to discuss the findings. The physician had already reviewed the films and goes over them in depth with the patient. He also administered a shoulder joint injection to help relieve the patient's pain.

West Virginia Subscriber

Answer: Select a diagnosis based on your provider's documentation, such as rotator cuff tear (840.4, Sprains and strains of shoulder and upper arm; rotator cuff [capsule], or 727.61, Rupture of tendon, nontraumatic; complete rupture of rotator cuff) or calcifying tendonitis of the shoulder (726.11).

Include that diagnosis with the appropriate E/M code for your physician's service (99211-99215, Office or other outpatient visit for the evaluation and management of an established patient ...). Append modifier 25 (Significant, separately identifiable evaluation and management service by the same physician on the same day of the procedure or other service) to the E/M code.

Also report 20610 (Arthrocentesis, aspiration and/or injection; major joint or bursa [e.g., shoulder, hip, knee joint, subacromial bursa]) with 719.41 (Pain in joint; shoulder region) for the shoulder injection.