27033 Hip arthrotomy Medicare reimbursement rates in Massachusetts

An orthopedic surgeon opens the hip joint to examine its interior or remove a loose body or foreign material. The service may be performed in a hospital or another surgical setting when a joint problem requires direct operative access; it is distinct from opening the joint to drain it or taking a specimen for diagnosis alone. The operative report should identify the reason for surgery, the joint findings, and whether exploration or removal was performed.

Report this code when the documented work includes hip-joint exploration or removal of a loose or foreign body. The arthrotomy access and that work are represented together, rather than as separate services for the same operative work. Medicare assigns a 90-day global period, including the day-before preoperative visit and 90 days of related postoperative care. When multiple procedures are performed in one session, the highest-valued 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-surgeons require supporting documentation, and team surgery is not permitted.