Shawn Brockert-Kress asked:
I have a practice scenario where a ruptured tendon is being repaired; the injury took place 2 months ago. I choose code 27654; repair; secondary because the injury is 2 months old. The answer key states the correct code as 27650. Are there two meanings to primary and secondary? One based on time and another based on type/reason for the procedure?
Answer:
Amy Washburn wrote:
I would say that you are right; as the injury is over the 2 week time frame; meeting the requirement for a secondary.
secondary repairs may occur 2 to 5 weeks or longer after the injury. They may include tendon grafts. This is when tendons from other areas of the body are inserted in place of the damaged tendon. Or other more complex procedures may be used."
[https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/encyclopedia/content.aspx?contenttypeid=85&contentid=p01130](https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/encyclopedia/content.aspx?contenttypeid=85&contentid=p01130)
Look at slide 13/14: <https://www.apma.org/files/Coding%20Surgical%20Scenarios.pdf>
Hope this helps.
I have a practice scenario where a ruptured tendon is being repaired; the injury took place 2 months ago. I choose code 27654; repair; secondary because the injury is 2 months old. The answer key states the correct code as 27650. Are there two meanings to primary and secondary? One based on time and another based on type/reason for the procedure?
Answer:
Amy Washburn wrote:
I would say that you are right; as the injury is over the 2 week time frame; meeting the requirement for a secondary.
secondary repairs may occur 2 to 5 weeks or longer after the injury. They may include tendon grafts. This is when tendons from other areas of the body are inserted in place of the damaged tendon. Or other more complex procedures may be used."
[https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/encyclopedia/content.aspx?contenttypeid=85&contentid=p01130](https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/encyclopedia/content.aspx?contenttypeid=85&contentid=p01130)
Look at slide 13/14: <https://www.apma.org/files/Coding%20Surgical%20Scenarios.pdf>
Hope this helps.
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