27334 Knee synovectomy Medicare reimbursement rates in Indiana

This code represents an open knee arthrotomy with removal of diseased synovial tissue through an anterior or posterior approach. Orthopedic surgeons typically perform it in an operating room for substantial synovial disease, such as persistent inflammatory or proliferative synovitis requiring surgical removal rather than a diagnostic tissue sample. The operative report should identify the approach and describe the synovectomy performed; extension into the popliteal area points to the more extensive sibling code, 27335.

Report 27334 for the open synovectomy described, not for synovial biopsy alone or arthroscopic synovectomy. Documentation should establish the knee site, open approach, tissue removed, and extent of the procedure. CMS assigns a 90-day global period: the day-before preoperative visit and 90 days of related postoperative care are included. For multiple procedures in the same session, the highest-valued procedure is paid in full and others at 50%. Bilateral reporting with modifier 50 is paid at 150%. An assistant at surgery may be paid; co-surgeon payment requires supporting documentation, and team surgery is not permitted.