Hi, we billed this as 27599 compared to 27380. Insurance reviewed the record and said it wasn’t supported. I haven’t found a better code for the open patellar debridement; that is how the provider referred to it, although I could also see it as a tenotomy because he states he made vertical slits in the tendon. I also looked at 27306 but that is percutaneous. Thoughts?

Dx: Patellar tendinitis and chondromalacia patella

"I made a midline incision beginning at the inferior pole of the patella and extending distally to the tibial tubercle. I developed a plane between the paratenon and the subcutaneous tissues and then elevated the paratenon from medial over to lateral off the patellar tendon and excised it. I made some vertical slits within the patellar tendon."

He then follows with his notes on arthroscopic shaving of patella and lateral tibial plateau that we billed as 29877 and this has paid.

Thanks!
Susan