Orthopedic Coding Alert

Question: Our orthopedic surgeon did a debridement of the labrum along with a rotator cuff repair and decompression and partial clavicle resection. The operative note follows:"There were large bony spurs present on the lateral aspect of the humerus as well as the anterior aspect of the glenoid and the AC joint. Bony spurs were debrided with chondroplasty of the glenoid. Partial resection of the clavicle was carried out." The amount of the resection wasn't mentioned. We left off 29824 (Arthroscopy, shoulder, surgical; distal claviculectomy including distal articular surface [Mumford procedure]) but billed 29823 (Arthroscopy, shoulder, surgical; debridement, extensive). The payer was Medicare. Should we have reported both 29823 and 29824? The two are actually bundled, so can modifiers help in getting paid?Florida SubscriberrAnswer: Ideally, you would be able to identify how much of clavicle was resected. If you have to submit notes for an appeal, they are going to look [...]