Orthopedic Coding Alert
Electrothermal Arthroscopy
Question: How should I code electrothermal arthroscopy (thermal shrinkage)?
Indiana Subscriber
Your only option after the fact is to report 29999 (Unlisted procedure, arthroscopy). Be sure to include a letter and an analogous code, in this case 23455 (Capsulorrhaphy, anterior; with labral repair [e.g., Bankart procedure]). With your documentation, consider submitting copies of peer-review articles that explain the benefits of thermal repair versus open or traditional arthroscopy.
Orthopedic Coding Alert
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