T
The Daily Insight

What is the CPT code for unicompartmental knee replacement

Author

Rachel Hunter

Published May 21, 2026

A patient had a unicompartmental knee arthroplasty using code 27446.

What is the CPT code for revision unicompartmental knee arthroplasty?

My surgeon performed a revision unicompartmental knee arthroplasty, for which there is no CPT code. There is either CPT 27446, Arthroplasty, knee, medial or lateral compartment, or 27486, Revision of TOTAL knee arthroplasty, 1 component.

What are the differences between total unicompartmental and bilateral knee replacement surgery?

Unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA) can effectively relieve knee pain and improve patients’ quality of life. Compared with total knee replacement (TKA), UKA is less invasive, with less trauma and less bleeding. What’s more, it also shortens the length of hospital stay, and rehabilitation time [1,2,3]. .

What is the difference between 27446 and 27447?

CPT® codes 27446 and 27447 differ based on one key word: “OR” vs. “AND.” Code 27446 indicates a partial knee replacement (including either the medial OR the lateral compartment) was performed; whereas, 27447 indicates a total knee replacement (including both the medial AND lateral compartments) was performed.

What is the difference between 27486 and 27487?

For a TKA revision (27486 Revision of total knee arthroplasty, with or without allograft; 1 component and 27487 Revision of total knee arthroplasty, with or without allograft; femoral and entire tibial component), watch for key words such as “removal and replacement of polyetheline liner” or “poly exchange,” and …

What is the CPT code for total knee arthroplasty?

The TKA procedure, described by CPT code 27447, is assigned to MS-DRG 469 or 470 when performed inpatient and comprehensive APC 5115 when preformed outpatient.

What is the CPT code for revision knee arthroplasty?

A single-stage procedure This is reported using current procedural terminology (CPT) code 27487—Revision of total knee arthroplasty, with or without allograft; femoral and entire tibial component.

What is the difference between CPT code 27130 and 27132?

Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes For this study, CPT 27130 was used to identify primary THA, while CPT 27132 was used to identify conversion THA.

What CPT code is 27447?

CPT® Code 27447 – Repair, Revision, and/or Reconstruction Procedures on the Femur (Thigh Region) and Knee Joint – Codify by AAPC.

How do you code a bilateral knee replacement?

2022 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code Z96. 653: Presence of artificial knee joint, bilateral.

Article first time published on

What is unicompartmental knee surgery?

In unicompartmental knee replacement (also called partial knee replacement) only a portion of the knee is resurfaced. This procedure is an alternative to total knee replacement for patients whose disease is limited to just one area of the knee.

How long does a unicompartmental knee replacement last?

A unicompartmental knee replacement can last anywhere from 5 years to upwards of 15 years. There are a number of factors that determine this including the level of activity that the patient undergoes as well as the possibility of the arthritis extending into the compartments of the knee that were not replaced.

What is HTO surgery?

A high tibial osteotomy is a surgical procedure that realigns the knee joint. For some patients who have knee arthritis, this surgery can delay or prevent the need for a partial or total knee replacement by preserving damaged joint tissue.

What is procedure code 27487?

CodeDescription27486REVISION OF TOTAL KNEE ARTHROPLASTY, WITH OR WITHOUT ALLOGRAFT; 1 COMPONENT27487REVISION OF TOTAL KNEE ARTHROPLASTY, WITH OR WITHOUT ALLOGRAFT; FEMORAL AND ENTIRE TIBIAL COMPONENT

Is knee with poly exchange CPT?

You should bill this procedure using 27486 (revision of total knee arthroplasty, with or without allograft; one component), potentially adding modifier -52 (reduced services), says Robert Haralson, MD, the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons (AAOS) coding committee chair.

What is the CPT code 20680?

Code 20680 [Removal of implant; deep (eg, buried wire, pin, screw, metal band, nail, rod or plate)] describes a unit of service that is typically reported only once, provided the original injury is located at only one anatomic site, regardless of the number of screws, plates, or rods inserted, or the number of …

What is the CPT code 27130?

Code. Description. 27130. ARTHROPLASTY, ACETABULAR AND PROXIMAL FEMORAL PROSTHETIC REPLACEMENT (TOTAL HIP ARTHROPLASTY), WITH OR WITHOUT AUTOGRAFT OR ALLOGRAFT.

Is CPT 20985 covered by Medicare?

Codes 20985, 0054T, or 0055T are not covered services and are not separately reimbursable. The following applies to all claim submissions. All coding and reimbursement is subject to all terms of the Provider Service Agreement and subject to changes, updates, or other requirements of coding rules and guidelines.

What DRG 470?

Major joint replacement or reattachment of the lower extremity (DRG 470) is Medicare’s top volume Medicare Severity (MS) – Diagnosis Related Group (DRG)s.

What modifier is used for assistant surgeon?

This includes the use of payment modifiers for assistant at surgery services. Modifier 80 (assistant surgeon), 81 (minimum assistant surgeon), or 82 (when qualified resident surgeon not available) is used to bill for assistant at surgery services.

When do you use 27132?

Use this code when the procedure includes femoral stem, neck only. High-dollar surgeries such as hip replacements present a high-stakes challenge for coders when it’s time to file the claim.

How many RVU do you need for a total knee replacement?

The RUC recommends a work RVU of 19.60 for CPT code 27447.

What is the ICD 10 PCS code for left Hemiarthroplasty?

ICD-10-PCS Code 0SRB04Z – Replacement of Left Hip Joint with Ceramic on Polyethylene Synthetic Substitute, Open Approach – Codify by AAPC.

What is the difference between DRG 469 and 470?

This resulted in an MS-DRG change from 469 – Major Joint Replacement or Reattachment of Lower Extremity with MCC to 470 – Major Joint Replacement or Reattachment of Lower Extremity without MCC. This resulted in an overpayment.

Does Medicare cover total knee replacement in ASC?

CMS is adding total knee arthroplasty to the ASC Covered Procedures List, effective January 1, 2020. … While the 2020 policy change specifically applies to TKA, partial knee arthroplasty (PKA) has been on the ASC Covered Procedures List since 2008.

What is unicompartmental knee osteoarthritis?

Unicompartmental arthritis of the knee is a degenerative condition characterized by abnormal articular cartilage in the medial or lateral part of the tibiofemoral joint, which may be associated with meniscal disruption, ligamentous instability, and limb malalignment.

What is the ICD 10 code for TKA?

ICD-10:Z96.653Short Description:Presence of artificial knee joint, bilateralLong Description:Presence of artificial knee joint, bilateral

What is Tricompartmental?

Tricompartmental refers to the three parts, or “compartments,” that make up your knee. There is some crossover between compartments: The medial compartment includes the spot where your thigh bone meets your shin bone and the space around it on the inside of your leg (the side closest to the other knee).

What is the newest technology in knee replacement?

This latest advancement in joint replacement surgery transforms the way knee replacements are performed. “The Mako system is a revolutionary tool to help joint surgeons be more precise in placing implants to achieve the most appropriate, balanced position possible,” explained orthopedic surgeon Harold Cates, MD.

What is UKR in orthopedics?

A uni-compartmental knee replacement (UKR) involves removing the joint surfaces of only one side of the knee, unlike a total knee replacement (TKR) which removes both. A UKR also differs from a TKR in that it does not require removal of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL).

What is the longest a knee replacement has lasted?

Total knee joint replacement surgery has been performed for about 30 years. Over those years, incremental improvements in materials and designs have raised the expected life of the “new” knees to 10 to 20 years.