Wiki 25447 w/tendon transplant

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coderguy1939

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Doctor did an arthroplasty of the left thumb and used the FCR tendon. He harvested it as a free graft. Everything I've read on this surgery indicates using 26480 with 25447, however, 26480 is not a free graft. Wouldn't 26483 be more appropriate?
 
The August 2005 Orthopaedic Coding Alert describes using 25310 with 25447 when the physician detaches one end of the FCR using the cut end of the FCR to repair the CMC while the other end of the FCR remains in its original place. CPT Assistant has a similar description of the procedure. This is a free graft in my op report cut proximally and distally and harvested. Maybe 25447 and 20924 would be more appropriate.
 
this is from AAOS and may be of some help

Basal joint arthroplasty

Anatomy: The basal joint of the thumb is also known as the carpometacarpal (CMC) joint. Located at the base of the thumb, the basal joint usually moves quite freely to help position the thumb.

Coding: Arthritis of the basal joint is often treated with an arthroplasty. Years ago, the anchovy procedure, as it was called, was represented by 25447 (Arthroplasty, interposition, intercarpal or carpometacarpal joints), and this code is still used for the treatment of basal joint arthritis. If the tendon graft is harvested from a separate incision, 20924 (tendon graft, from a distance [eg, palmaris, toe extensor, plantaris]) can also be reported. The GSD includes the following procedures under code 25447: arthrotomy/synovectomy of wrist or intercarpal joints; excision of osteophytes, bone fragments and joint debridement; partial or total excision of trapezium or trapezoid; capsular release, repair and/or reconstruction; and internal fixation of implant. The harvesting of tendon graft through separate skin or fascial incision is excluded from code 25447.

A variation of this procedure adds a sling or suspension aspect. The first metacarpal is suspended to the second metacarpal to inhibit the proximal migration of the first metacarpal that often occurs after the excisional arthroplasty of the first CMC joint. Typically, one half (or all) of the flexor carpi radialis (FCR) is used to create the new intercarpal ligament between the first and second metacarpals.

The transfer of the FCR to the base of the first metacarpal is not a part of the basic CMC arthroplasty and must be coded separately. Use either 26480 (transfer or transplant of tendon, carpometacarpal area or dorsum of hand; without free graft, each tendon) or 25310 (tendon transplantation or transfer, flexor or extensor, forearm and/or wrist, single; each tendon, as appropriate). Modifier 51 would be appended to the secondary procedure in either the 25447 + 26480 or 25310 code pairs, according to the January 2005 CPT Assistant.

http://www2.aaos.org/aaos/archives/bulletin/aug05/coding.asp
 
20924 with 25447

mbort said:
this is from AAOS and may be of some help

Basal joint arthroplasty

Anatomy: The basal joint of the thumb is also known as the carpometacarpal (CMC) joint. Located at the base of the thumb, the basal joint usually moves quite freely to help position the thumb.

Coding: Arthritis of the basal joint is often treated with an arthroplasty. Years ago, the anchovy procedure, as it was called, was represented by 25447 (Arthroplasty, interposition, intercarpal or carpometacarpal joints), and this code is still used for the treatment of basal joint arthritis. If the tendon graft is harvested from a separate incision, 20924 (tendon graft, from a distance [eg, palmaris, toe extensor, plantaris]) can also be reported. The GSD includes the following procedures under code 25447: arthrotomy/synovectomy of wrist or intercarpal joints; excision of osteophytes, bone fragments and joint debridement; partial or total excision of trapezium or trapezoid; capsular release, repair and/or reconstruction; and internal fixation of implant. The harvesting of tendon graft through separate skin or fascial incision is excluded from code 25447.

A variation of this procedure adds a sling or suspension aspect. The first metacarpal is suspended to the second metacarpal to inhibit the proximal migration of the first metacarpal that often occurs after the excisional arthroplasty of the first CMC joint. Typically, one half (or all) of the flexor carpi radialis (FCR) is used to create the new intercarpal ligament between the first and second metacarpals.

The transfer of the FCR to the base of the first metacarpal is not a part of the basic CMC arthroplasty and must be coded separately. Use either 26480 (transfer or transplant of tendon, carpometacarpal area or dorsum of hand; without free graft, each tendon) or 25310 (tendon transplantation or transfer, flexor or extensor, forearm and/or wrist, single; each tendon, as appropriate). Modifier 51 would be appended to the secondary procedure in either the 25447 + 26480 or 25310 code pairs, according to the January 2005 CPT Assistant.

http://www2.aaos.org/aaos/archives/bulletin/aug05/coding.asp
Click to expand...

Is this still current information in 2017? Per Supercoder... 20924 is bundled to 25447.... but, can be modified.... wondering if it has been updated since this post in 2008.... or, if it has always needed a modifier to bill it with 25447.

thanks
 
My doctor recently performed this same procedure and I'm wondering what the most up-to-date guideline is for using a free graft with CMC arthroplasty.
 
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