Wiki Menisectomy vs Chrondroplasty

[Robbin109]

This might be a dumb question as I am just learning Ortho, but how do you know when to code for Meniscectomy vs Chrondroplasty?

On the reports, the MD as listed as the procedure performed as

1) Partial lateral meniscectomy
2) Chondroplasty of Patellofemeroal joint


Sometimes the coder codes as 29881 and other times 29887? How can I tell when to code which one?

Thanks!

 

[nyyankees]

This might be a dumb question as I am just learning Ortho, but how do you know when to code for Meniscectomy vs Chrondroplasty?

On the reports, the MD as listed as the procedure performed as

1) Partial lateral meniscectomy
2) Chondroplasty of Patellofemeroal joint


Sometimes the coder codes as 29881 and other times 29887? How can I tell when to code which one?

Thanks!

29881 will have a debridement/resection of the 'torn meniscus' while a 29877 will have a debridement of any chondral injury/defect.

 

[Robbin109]

Thank you.

 

[Robbin109]

So if MD says this which do you code:

"Using a 4.5 agreessive shaver and 4.0 mm upbiting square nose basket, the menisus was trimmed to healthy tissue with a smooth trnsition between normal and abnormal meniscus from the posterior horn to the mid portion"

The unstable cartilage on the femoral condyle was removed with the shaver"

I would want to code 29881, but it was coded as 29877


???
Please help
????

 

[tabytha]

you would code the 29881 for the menisectomy as the 29877 for the patellofemoral debridement is included.

 

[npricercm]

Menisectomy vs Chrondoplasty

This might be a dumb question as I am just learning Ortho, but how do you know when to code for Meniscectomy vs Chrondroplasty?

On the reports, the MD as listed as the procedure performed as

1) Partial lateral meniscectomy
2) Chondroplasty of Patellofemeroal joint


Sometimes the coder codes as 29881 and other times 29887? How can I tell when to code which one?

Thanks!

Here is a great website for ortho coders. see if your docs have access to this website for future needs. here's their link to a great article.

http://www.aaos.org/news/aaosnow/may12/managing1.asp

 

[twizzle]

Here is a great website for ortho coders. see if your docs have access to this website for future needs. here's their link to a great article.

http://www.aaos.org/news/aaosnow/may12/managing1.asp

In any cases where a meniscectomy and chondroplasty are performed, just code the meniscectomy as it includes chondroplasty, no matter in which areas the 2 procedures take place.