Wiki Arthroscopy shoulder 29805 vs 29806

[dtamayo]

I am new to orthopaedic coding and I need help coding this please. The provider did an an arthroscopy shoulder w/debridement of the long head of the biceps tendon & debridement of the glenoid labrum at the insertion point of the biceps tendon. I am trying to figure out which codes to use for this? Can anyone please help. 29805 says arthroscopy , shoulder diagnostic . 29806 arthroscopy shoulder, surgical.

 

[Orthocoderpgu]

Your code would be 29822 unless the labrum was debrided from anterior to posterior.

29822 cannot be billed with any other shoulder procedure.

Debridement (29822, 29823) cannot be part of a restorative procedure. For example, if the rotator cuff tears, and the doc debrides the tendon before anchoring it back down to the bone, the debridement can't be included with 29823.

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Really get to know your anatomy. You really can't code without it, especially shoulders. This will help you greatly.