23044 Joint arthrotomy Medicare reimbursement rates in New Jersey

This service involves opening the acromioclavicular joint at the shoulder or the sternoclavicular joint near the base of the neck to inspect the joint, drain it, or remove a foreign body. An orthopedic surgeon typically performs the operation in a hospital or other surgical facility. Examples include operative drainage of infection within one of these joints or removal of material lodged inside the joint; the code is specific to these articulations, not the glenohumeral joint or nearby soft tissue.

Select the code when the operative report identifies an arthrotomy of the AC or SC joint and documents the purpose and work performed. Distinguish joint exploration or drainage from drainage of a deep shoulder abscess or infected bursa. CMS assigns a 90-day global period, including the day-before preoperative visit and related postoperative care during that period. When multiple procedures occur in the same session, the highest-valued is paid in full and other procedures are subject to the standard 50% reduction. Bilateral reporting with modifier 50 is paid at 150%. Assistant-at-surgery payment is restricted; co-surgeons require supporting documentation, and team surgery is not permitted.