CPT 21060: TMJ Meniscectomy, Open Surgical Removal of Meniscus
CPT code 21060 represents an open partial or complete meniscectomy of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), a surgical procedure to remove the TMJ meniscus for indications such as meniscal tear, injury, ankylosis, or arthritis. This code is clinically significant because TMJ meniscal pathology can cause pain, impaired jaw function, and progressive joint damage; appropriate coding ensures accurate tracking of surgical management and supports payment and quality monitoring for oral and maxillofacial surgical services.
Key payers included in the analysis are Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find a concise clinical context for the procedure, typical sites of service, and an outline of common billing modifiers associated with complex surgical claims. The publication summarizes national benchmarking information where available, highlights coding and documentation considerations for open TMJ meniscectomy, and identifies gaps where input data are not available.
This overview is intended for clinicians, coding professionals, and payor policy analysts seeking a national-level summary of CPT code 21060, its clinical use, and the billing context that affects reimbursement and claims processing.
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Billing Code Overview
CPT code 21060 describes a partial or complete meniscectomy of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). The procedure is an open surgical removal of the meniscus of the TMJ and is performed to address conditions such as meniscal tear, injury, ankylosis, or arthritis.
Service type: Open surgical TMJ meniscectomy
Typical site of service: Hospital operating room or ambulatory surgical center (inpatient or outpatient surgical setting depending on clinical need)