Wiki unicompartmental knee replacement

[Joyce Burchett]

Pt. has unicompartmental knee replacement several years ago. Dr. has that the unicompartmental knee replacement has failed & is doing a total knee replacement. Should this be coded 27447 for should we code a revision 27487?

Joyce Burchett

 

[khopstein]

When my doctors do this conversion from a partial to a total knee replacement, I use 27447 with 22 modifier. This modifier will take care of the extra work done (removing prosthesis, I&D, etc.)

 

[Joyce Burchett]

I did find an article from the Coding Institute that says we should use 27487 when you are converting a Unicompartmental to a total knee. I don't think it would be correct to bill 27447 with a modifer 22. CPT 27487 includes the work of removing the prosthesis & placing the new prothesis. Thanks for your answer though.

Joyce

 

[BONDO350]

i would use 27447 and 27488-51, since a total knee is not being revised.