New Year Sale 2026! Hurry Up, Grab the Special Discount - Save 25% - Ends In 00:00:00 Coupon code: SAVE25
Welcome to Pass4Success

- Free Preparation Discussions

AAPC CPC Exam - Topic 2 Question 33 Discussion

Actual exam question for AAPC's CPC exam
Question #: 33
Topic #: 2
[All CPC Questions]

View MR 002395

MR 002395

Operative Report

Pre-operative Diagnosis: Acute rotator cuff tear

Post-operative Diagnosis: Acute rotator cuff tear, synovitis

Procedures:

1) Rotator cuff repair

2) Biceps Tenodesis

3) Claviculectomy

4) Coracoacromial ligament release

Indication: Rotator cuff injury of a 32-year-old male, sustained while playing soccer.

Findings: Complete tear of the right rotator cuff, synovitis, impingement.

Procedure: The patient was prepared for surgery and placed in left lateral decubitus position. Standard posterior arthroscopy portals were made followed by an anterior-superior portal. Diagnostic arthroscopy was performed. Significant synovitis was carefully debrided. There was a full-thickness upper 3rd subscapularis tear, which was repaired. The lesser tuberosity was debrided back to bleeding healthy bone and a Mitek 4.5 mm helix anchor was placed in the lesser tuberosity. Sutures were passed through the subcapulans in a combination of horizontal mattress and simple interrupted fashion and then tied. There was a partial-thickness tearing of the long head of the biceps. The biceps were released and then anchored in the intertubercular groove with a screw. There was a large anterior acromial spur with subacromial impingement. A CA ligament was released and acromioplasty was performed. Attention was then directed to the

supraspinatus tendon tear. The tear was V-shaped and measured approximately 2.5 cm from anterior to posterior. Two Smith & Nephew PEEK anchors were used for the medial row utilizing Healicoil anchors. Side-to-side stitches were placed. One set of suture tape from each of the medial anchors was then placed through a laterally placed Mitek helix PEEK knotless anchor which was fully inserted after tensioning the tapes. A solid repair was obtained. Next there were severe degenerative changes at the AC joint of approximately 8 to 10 mm. The distal clavicle was resected taking care to preserve the superior AC joint capsule. The shoulder was thoroughly lavaged. The instruments were removed and the incisions were closed in routine fashion. Sterile dressing was applied. The patient was transferred to recovery in stable condition.

What CPT coding is reported for this case?

Show Suggested Answer Hide Answer
Suggested Answer: A

29827: Arthroscopic rotator cuff repair is correctly coded as 29827.

29828: Arthroscopic biceps tenodesis is an additional procedure and should be coded as 29828 with modifier -51 (Multiple Procedures).

29824: Arthroscopic claviculectomy (partial resection of the distal clavicle) is coded as 29824 with modifier -51.

29826: Arthroscopic subacromial decompression, including coracoacromial ligament release, is coded as 29826.

All these procedures were performed arthroscopically and documented in the operative report, justifying the use of these codes and the use of modifier -51 for multiple procedures.


CPT Professional Edition, AMA

Contribute your Thoughts:

0/2000 characters
Carmela
3 months ago
Not sure about that coding, seems like it could be B instead.
upvoted 0 times
...
Delisa
3 months ago
I think the correct coding is A, covers all the bases.
upvoted 0 times
...
Eleonore
3 months ago
I’m surprised they did a claviculectomy too. Seems extreme!
upvoted 0 times
...
Ivette
4 months ago
Totally agree, that’s a lot going on for a soccer injury!
upvoted 0 times
...
Kate
4 months ago
Looks like a complex rotator cuff repair with multiple procedures.
upvoted 0 times
...
Kara
4 months ago
I believe the correct answer might be A, but I’m not entirely confident. I remember there were nuances with the AC joint procedures in our practice tests.
upvoted 0 times
...
Stephanie
4 months ago
I’m a bit confused about the modifiers. I think we need to use -51 for the additional procedures, but I can't recall if we need to add -59 for anything here.
upvoted 0 times
...
Kenny
4 months ago
I remember practicing a similar question where we had to code for multiple procedures. I feel like 29828 should definitely be included for the biceps tenodesis.
upvoted 0 times
...
Ming
5 months ago
I think the main procedure is 29827 for the rotator cuff repair, but I'm not sure about the additional codes for the biceps tenodesis and claviculectomy.
upvoted 0 times
...
Chuck
5 months ago
This is a tricky one, but I feel confident I can get the right coding if I take my time and thoroughly review the operative report. The key will be identifying the primary procedure and any additional procedures that can be billed separately.
upvoted 0 times
...
Lillian
5 months ago
Okay, I think I've got a good handle on this. The main codes will be 29827 for the rotator cuff repair, 29828 for the biceps tenodesis, and 29824 for the claviculectomy. I'll need to use a -51 modifier on the additional procedures.
upvoted 0 times
...
Paris
5 months ago
Hmm, I'm a bit confused by the claviculectomy and coracoacromial ligament release. I'll need to double-check how those are coded and whether they can be billed separately.
upvoted 0 times
...
Telma
5 months ago
The key procedures seem to be the rotator cuff repair, biceps tenodesis, and claviculectomy. I'll need to make sure I understand the coding guidelines for these procedures and any modifiers that may apply.
upvoted 0 times
...
Catarina
5 months ago
This looks like a pretty complex case with multiple procedures performed. I'll need to carefully review the operative report and the CPT code descriptions to determine the appropriate coding.
upvoted 0 times
...
Casie
5 months ago
I'm a bit confused by the "Add the Step ID to the Configuration File" option. I'm not sure how that would resolve the Table input step failure. Might need to research that one a bit more.
upvoted 0 times
...
Rodolfo
1 year ago
I'm not sure, but I think option A makes sense based on the details provided in the operative report.
upvoted 0 times
...
Aileen
1 year ago
I agree with you. The procedures mentioned in the report match with the codes in option A.
upvoted 0 times
...
Man
1 year ago
Wow, this surgeon really went to town on that poor guy's shoulder. At least they'll be able to bill for it all with option C!
upvoted 0 times
...
Carolann
1 year ago
Haha, I bet the patient's shoulder is feeling better than a soccer player's after this surgery! But seriously, C is the way to go here.
upvoted 0 times
Wilburn
1 year ago
I hope the recovery goes smoothly for the patient.
upvoted 0 times
...
Aliza
1 year ago
Definitely, the patient must be relieved to have that rotator cuff repaired.
upvoted 0 times
...
Paris
1 year ago
That was quite the extensive procedure, but it sounds like it was necessary.
upvoted 0 times
...
Herman
1 year ago
I agree, C is the correct choice for the CPT coding.
upvoted 0 times
...
...
Glenn
1 year ago
I agree, C looks like the most comprehensive answer. The claviculectomy, biceps tenodesis, and coracoacromial ligament release all need separate codes.
upvoted 0 times
...
Shaunna
1 year ago
Hmm, this seems like a complex case with multiple procedures performed. I'm thinking the correct coding would be option C, since it includes all the relevant CPT codes.
upvoted 0 times
Alisha
1 year ago
User 2
upvoted 0 times
...
Launa
1 year ago
User 1
upvoted 0 times
...
...
Denise
1 year ago
I think the answer is A) 29827, 29828-51, 29824-51, 29826.
upvoted 0 times
...

Save Cancel