A 53-year-old male patient presents to the OR for a planned arthroscopic acetabuloplasty. The physician inserts the scope and visualizes the repair site. Upon visualization, the surgeon determines the acetabuloplasty will require more extensive repair than initially expected. The surgeon removes the arthroscope and makes an arthrotomy into the hip joint. The surgeon completes a cup-type acetabuloplasty and concludes with layered closure of the skin and subcutaneous tissues. How should the coder appropriately report these procedures?
27120 - Acetabuloplasty: (e.g. Whitman, Colonna, Haygroves, or cup type)
29860 - Arthroscopy hip, diagnostic with or without synovial biopsy (separate procedure)

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The correct codes are 27120 and 29860-59. 27120 is the code for acetabuloplasty, and 29860-59 is the code for arthroscopy of the hip, diagnostic with or without synovial biopsy (separate procedure). The -59 modifier is used to indicate that the arthroscopy was performed separately from the acetabuloplasty.

A 53-Year-Old Male Patient Presents to the OR for a Planned