Orthopedic Coding: Chondroplasty Codes Confusion

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Your orthopedist might find chondroplasty to be one of the common knee procedures, but that does not mean you will always know how to go about it, especially if you are not sure when to report CPT Codes versus HCPCS codes. Here's the latest on payer preferences and when you can or cannot report each option.
First, you have to know your codes well. Most coders automatically think of 29877 for chondroplasty procedures and this is a viable choice. Confusion takes place when you bill 29877 with another arthroscopic procedure when you remember another option in your HCPCS book: G0289.
Second, you should count your compartment. The knee is divided into medial, lateral and patellofemoral compartments. Your physician should always specify which compartment he accesses during the procedure as that documentation is key to your coding and is important if you ever need to appeal the claim.
Third, you should treat G0289 like an add-on code. Although HCPCS codes do not ...
... use the same symbols or notations at CPT, an explanatory note with G0289 directs you to treat it like an add-on code.
For more information on the latest pertaining to orthopedic coding, and the latest payer preferences, there are various sources of information to help you out. One of the best ways to go about is by signing up for an audio conference. The best part of such a conference is that you can listen to it from the comforts of your home or office without having to travel the distance.