2022 ASC Coding Tips: New Subchondroplasty Code Replaces Unlisted Code
By Mandeara Frye, RHIA, CPC, CPMA, CASCC, Director of Coding
Unlisted codes are always a challenge since they’re so difficult to get reimbursed. That's why we tend to get excited when new codes are introduced for procedures that were previously unlisted. 2022 brought us a new code for subchondroplasty to replace the previously unlisted procedures.
Subchondroplasty is a minimally invasive repair designed to treat subchondral bone defects associated with chronic bone marrow lesions by filling the defect with a bone-substitute material.1 Its new, listed CPT code is as follows:
- 0707T — Injection(s), bone-substitute material (eg, calcium phosphate) into subchondral bone defect (ie, bone marrow lesion, bone bruise, stress injury, microtrabecular fracture), including imaging guidance and arthroscopic assistance for joint visualization
An important note: Two parenthetical notes were added with this code to indicate that 0707T includes diagnostic arthroscopy (CPT 29805, 29860, 29870) as well as imaging (CPT 77002), so these codes should not be reported separately. Users are also directed to CPT 20615 for aspiration and injection of bone cysts since 0707T is specific to subchondral bone defects.2
ASCs should also report the bone substitute with the following HCPCS code:
- C1713 — Anchor/screw for opposing bone-to-bone or soft tissue-to-bone (implantable)
1 AMA CPT® Assistant October 2018 / Volume 28 Issue 10, CPT® Assistant January 2014 / Volume 24 Issue 1
2 AMA CPT® Changes 2022, Category III Codes
