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CPT 23415: Coracoacromial Ligament Release with Acromioplasty

CPT code 23415 represents surgical release of the coracoacromial ligament, often combined with acromioplasty, to restore shoulder motion and relieve pain in patients with adhesive capsulitis, subacromial impingement, or a frozen shoulder. This procedure is clinically significant due to its role in addressing persistent shoulder dysfunction that does not respond to conservative care, and it is performed across hospital outpatient departments and ambulatory surgery centers nationwide.

Key payers in this overview include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find a concise clinical context for the procedure, typical sites of service, common billing modifiers, and which payers commonly reimburse or manage coverage for this service. The publication also summarizes benchmarks and policy considerations relevant to billing and coverage for surgical shoulder decompression procedures.

This summary is intended for coding and billing specialists, surgical providers, and policy analysts who need a clear, national-level understanding of CPT code 23415, its clinical purpose, and the payer landscape. Data not available in the input is noted where applicable.

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Billing Code Overview

CPT code 23415 describes a surgical procedure to release the coracoacromial ligament to restore shoulder function in patients with a stiff, painful, or frozen shoulder. The procedure may include acromioplasty, in which a portion of the undersurface of the acromion is shaved to relieve abnormal pressure on underlying muscle or tendon.

Service type: Open or arthroscopic shoulder surgical procedure for ligament release and decompression

Typical site of service: Hospital outpatient department or ambulatory surgery center, with possible inpatient care when clinically indicated.

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CPT 23415: Coracoacromial Ligament Release with Acromioplasty

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Billing Code Overview

Service type: Open or arthroscopic shoulder surgical procedure for ligament release and decompression

Typical site of service: Hospital outpatient department or ambulatory surgery center, with possible inpatient care when clinically indicated.

Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

A 58-year-old right-hand–dominant female presents with progressive right shoulder pain, decreased range of motion, and night pain for 9 months. Conservative management with physical therapy, oral NSAIDs, and intra-articular corticosteroid injection produced partial, transient relief. Examination shows limited active forward flexion and abduction with positive impingement signs and subacromial tenderness. Imaging (plain radiographs and MRI) demonstrates subacromial bursitis, acromial spurring, and thickening of the coracoacromial ligament consistent with impingement and adhesive capsulitis features. The orthopedic surgeon schedules arthroscopic release of the coracoacromial ligament with acromioplasty to decompress the subacromial space and improve shoulder motion and pain.

Typical clinical workflow:

Preoperative evaluation in the clinic with review of conservative treatments, imaging, and informed consent.
Pre-op clearance by primary care or medical medicine as indicated; anesthesia evaluation for general anesthesia with regional block.
Intraoperative procedure performed in an ambulatory surgery center or hospital operating room: arthroscopic coracoacromial ligament release with subacromial bursectomy and acromioplasty as indicated; documentation includes laterality, findings, and any additional procedures.
Postoperative recovery in PACU with neurovascular checks and pain control; discharge same day for ambulatory surgery center cases or next-day discharge if inpatient.
Postoperative instructions: sling protection brief period, early range-of-motion physical therapy, and scheduled follow-up for wound check and rehabilitation progression.

Coding Specifications

Modifier	Description	When to Use
`RT`	Right side	Use when the procedure is performed on the right shoulder.
`LT`	Left side	Use when the procedure is performed on the left shoulder.
`50`	Bilateral procedure	Use when the procedure is performed on both shoulders during the same operative session per payer guidance.
`22`	Increased procedural services	Use when work, time, or technical difficulty substantially exceeds the usual for the procedure (document rationale).
`52`	Reduced services	Use when the procedure is partially reduced or not completed as originally planned.
`59`	Distinct procedural service	Use to indicate a separate, identifiable procedure not ordinarily reported with the primary code (support with operative note).
`62`	Two surgeons	Use when two surgeons work together as primary surgeons performing distinct portions of a complex case.
`78`	Unplanned return to OR for related procedure during global period	Use when a return to the OR for a related procedure occurs after the initial procedure.
`53`	Discontinued procedure	Use when the procedure is started but halted due to extenuating circumstances or patient condition.
`23`	Unusual anesthesia	Use when general anesthesia is not appropriate and an unusual anesthetic is required (per payer rules).

Taxonomy Code	Specialty	Notes
`207X00000X`	Orthopaedic Surgery	Primary specialty performing arthroscopic acromioplasty and coracoacromial ligament release.
`208000000X`	Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation	Often manages pre- and postoperative nonoperative care and rehab planning.
`207L00000X`	Sports Medicine (Orthopaedics)	Subspecialists who commonly treat impingement and perform arthroscopic decompression.
`207K00000X`	Hand Surgery (Orthopaedics)	May be listed when shoulder specialists have additional upper-extremity focus.
`363A00000X`	Anesthesiology	Provides general anesthesia and regional blocks for shoulder arthroscopy.

Related Diagnoses

ICD-10 Code	Description	Clinical Relevance
`M75.1`	Rotator cuff tear or rupture of shoulder, not specified as traumatic	Rotator cuff pathology commonly coexists with impingement and may be addressed during decompression.
`M75.4`	Impingement syndrome of shoulder	Primary indication for coracoacromial ligament release and acromioplasty to relieve mechanical impingement.
`M75.0`	Adhesive capsulitis of shoulder	Stiff shoulder (frozen shoulder) can coexist and influence surgical decision-making for release and mobilization.
`M75.3`	Calcific tendinitis of shoulder	May contribute to subacromial pain and be treated with debridement during arthroscopy.
`M75.2`	Bicipital tendinitis	Subacromial pathology often accompanies biceps tendon inflammation requiring concomitant management.
`M25.50`	Pain in joint, unspecified site	General shoulder pain diagnosis used when more specific code is not identified.
`S43.431A`	Sprain of right shoulder joint, initial encounter	Acute or subacute injuries leading to impingement or pain that may require surgical intervention.
`M19.011`	Primary osteoarthritis, right shoulder	Degenerative changes can create acromial spurs contributing to impingement and may prompt acromioplasty.

Related CPT Codes

CPT Code	Description	Relationship to This Procedure
`29826`	Arthroscopy, shoulder, surgical; decompression of subacromial space with partial acromioplasty, with coracoacromial ligament release	Commonly reported for arthroscopic acromioplasty and CA ligament release; may be used instead of an open code when arthroscopy performed.
`29822`	Arthroscopy, shoulder, surgical; debridement, limited	May be performed in conjunction for subacromial bursectomy or limited debridement during the same arthroscopic session.
`29823`	Arthroscopy, shoulder, surgical; debridement, extensive	Used when a more extensive debridement is required in addition to decompression.
`29807`	Arthroscopy, shoulder, surgical; capsulorrhaphy	May be performed in cases with instability or concomitant capsular pathology during the same operative setting.
`23350`	Repair, open, acute rotator cuff (does not include arthroscopic codes)	Related when rotator cuff repair is required; typically a separate or additional procedure and coding depends on approach and documentation.

CPT 23395: Muscle Transfer to Shoulder or Upper Arm

CPT-23397-MULTIPLE-MUSCLE-TRANSFER-SHOULDER-UPPER-ARM-RECONSTRUCTION

CPT 23397: Multiple Muscle Transfer to Shoulder/Upper Arm

CPT-23400-SCAPULAR-FIXATION-RECONSTRUCTION-SPRENGEL-DEFORMITY

CPT 23400: Scapular Fixation for Shoulder Deformity

CPT-23405-SHOULDER-TENOTOMY-TENDON-RELEASE

CPT 23405: Shoulder Tenotomy (Single Tendon, Small Incision)

CPT-23406-SHOULDER-MULTIPLE-TENOTOMY

CPT 23406: Multiple Tenotomy of Shoulder

CPT-23410-OPEN-ROTATOR-CUFF-REPAIR-SHOULDER

CPT 23410: Open Surgical Repair of Acute Rotator Cuff Tear

CPT-23412-OPEN-ROTATOR-CUFF-REPAIR-SHOULDER

CPT 23412: Open Surgical Repair of Chronic Rotator Cuff Tear

CPT-23420-SHOULDER-RECONSTRUCTION-ACROMIOPLASTY

CPT 23420: Shoulder Reconstruction with Acromioplasty

CPT-23430-BICEPS-TENODESIS-PROXIMAL-HUMERUS

CPT 23430: Biceps Tenodesis to Proximal Humerus

CPT-23440-BICEPS-TENDON-TENODESIS-SHOULDER-STABILIZATION

CPT 23440: Biceps Tenodesis for Shoulder Stabilization

Showing 1–10 of 24

Frequently Asked Questions

References

1.CPT® Codes and Descriptions. AAPC. Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.Maintains the CPT code set's official descriptions and guidelines, licensed from the American Medical Association, used as the definitional source for CPT codes on this page.
2.HCPCS Quarterly Update. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.CMS's quarterly release of HCPCS Level II codes and short/long descriptors, the source for HCPCS code definitions and update history.
3.ICD-10-CM Full Code List. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.CMS's complete ICD-10-CM diagnosis code list, used to cross-reference diagnosis codes associated with this procedure or service.

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Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

Typical clinical workflow:

Preoperative evaluation in the clinic with review of conservative treatments, imaging, and informed consent.
Pre-op clearance by primary care or medical medicine as indicated; anesthesia evaluation for general anesthesia with regional block.
Intraoperative procedure performed in an ambulatory surgery center or hospital operating room: arthroscopic coracoacromial ligament release with subacromial bursectomy and acromioplasty as indicated; documentation includes laterality, findings, and any additional procedures.
Postoperative recovery in PACU with neurovascular checks and pain control; discharge same day for ambulatory surgery center cases or next-day discharge if inpatient.
Postoperative instructions: sling protection brief period, early range-of-motion physical therapy, and scheduled follow-up for wound check and rehabilitation progression.

Coding Specifications

Modifier	Description	When to Use
`RT`	Right side	Use when the procedure is performed on the right shoulder.
`LT`	Left side	Use when the procedure is performed on the left shoulder.
`50`	Bilateral procedure	Use when the procedure is performed on both shoulders during the same operative session per payer guidance.
`22`	Increased procedural services	Use when work, time, or technical difficulty substantially exceeds the usual for the procedure (document rationale).
`52`	Reduced services	Use when the procedure is partially reduced or not completed as originally planned.
`59`	Distinct procedural service	Use to indicate a separate, identifiable procedure not ordinarily reported with the primary code (support with operative note).
`62`	Two surgeons	Use when two surgeons work together as primary surgeons performing distinct portions of a complex case.
`78`	Unplanned return to OR for related procedure during global period	Use when a return to the OR for a related procedure occurs after the initial procedure.
`53`	Discontinued procedure	Use when the procedure is started but halted due to extenuating circumstances or patient condition.
`23`	Unusual anesthesia	Use when general anesthesia is not appropriate and an unusual anesthetic is required (per payer rules).

Taxonomy Code	Specialty	Notes
`207X00000X`	Orthopaedic Surgery	Primary specialty performing arthroscopic acromioplasty and coracoacromial ligament release.
`208000000X`	Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation	Often manages pre- and postoperative nonoperative care and rehab planning.
`207L00000X`	Sports Medicine (Orthopaedics)	Subspecialists who commonly treat impingement and perform arthroscopic decompression.
`207K00000X`	Hand Surgery (Orthopaedics)	May be listed when shoulder specialists have additional upper-extremity focus.
`363A00000X`	Anesthesiology	Provides general anesthesia and regional blocks for shoulder arthroscopy.

Related Diagnoses

ICD-10 Code	Description	Clinical Relevance
`M75.1`	Rotator cuff tear or rupture of shoulder, not specified as traumatic	Rotator cuff pathology commonly coexists with impingement and may be addressed during decompression.
`M75.4`	Impingement syndrome of shoulder	Primary indication for coracoacromial ligament release and acromioplasty to relieve mechanical impingement.
`M75.0`	Adhesive capsulitis of shoulder	Stiff shoulder (frozen shoulder) can coexist and influence surgical decision-making for release and mobilization.
`M75.3`	Calcific tendinitis of shoulder	May contribute to subacromial pain and be treated with debridement during arthroscopy.
`M75.2`	Bicipital tendinitis	Subacromial pathology often accompanies biceps tendon inflammation requiring concomitant management.
`M25.50`	Pain in joint, unspecified site	General shoulder pain diagnosis used when more specific code is not identified.
`S43.431A`	Sprain of right shoulder joint, initial encounter	Acute or subacute injuries leading to impingement or pain that may require surgical intervention.
`M19.011`	Primary osteoarthritis, right shoulder	Degenerative changes can create acromial spurs contributing to impingement and may prompt acromioplasty.

Related CPT Codes

CPT Code	Description	Relationship to This Procedure
`29826`	Arthroscopy, shoulder, surgical; decompression of subacromial space with partial acromioplasty, with coracoacromial ligament release	Commonly reported for arthroscopic acromioplasty and CA ligament release; may be used instead of an open code when arthroscopy performed.
`29822`	Arthroscopy, shoulder, surgical; debridement, limited	May be performed in conjunction for subacromial bursectomy or limited debridement during the same arthroscopic session.
`29823`	Arthroscopy, shoulder, surgical; debridement, extensive	Used when a more extensive debridement is required in addition to decompression.
`29807`	Arthroscopy, shoulder, surgical; capsulorrhaphy	May be performed in cases with instability or concomitant capsular pathology during the same operative setting.
`23350`	Repair, open, acute rotator cuff (does not include arthroscopic codes)	Related when rotator cuff repair is required; typically a separate or additional procedure and coding depends on approach and documentation.

CPT 23395: Muscle Transfer to Shoulder or Upper Arm

CPT-23397-MULTIPLE-MUSCLE-TRANSFER-SHOULDER-UPPER-ARM-RECONSTRUCTION

CPT 23397: Multiple Muscle Transfer to Shoulder/Upper Arm

CPT-23400-SCAPULAR-FIXATION-RECONSTRUCTION-SPRENGEL-DEFORMITY

CPT 23400: Scapular Fixation for Shoulder Deformity

CPT-23405-SHOULDER-TENOTOMY-TENDON-RELEASE

CPT 23405: Shoulder Tenotomy (Single Tendon, Small Incision)

CPT-23406-SHOULDER-MULTIPLE-TENOTOMY

CPT 23406: Multiple Tenotomy of Shoulder

CPT-23410-OPEN-ROTATOR-CUFF-REPAIR-SHOULDER

CPT 23410: Open Surgical Repair of Acute Rotator Cuff Tear

CPT-23412-OPEN-ROTATOR-CUFF-REPAIR-SHOULDER

CPT 23412: Open Surgical Repair of Chronic Rotator Cuff Tear

CPT-23420-SHOULDER-RECONSTRUCTION-ACROMIOPLASTY

CPT 23420: Shoulder Reconstruction with Acromioplasty

CPT-23430-BICEPS-TENODESIS-PROXIMAL-HUMERUS

CPT 23430: Biceps Tenodesis to Proximal Humerus

CPT-23440-BICEPS-TENDON-TENODESIS-SHOULDER-STABILIZATION

CPT 23440: Biceps Tenodesis for Shoulder Stabilization

Showing 1–10 of 24

Frequently Asked Questions

References

1.CPT® Codes and Descriptions. AAPC. Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.Maintains the CPT code set's official descriptions and guidelines, licensed from the American Medical Association, used as the definitional source for CPT codes on this page.
2.HCPCS Quarterly Update. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.CMS's quarterly release of HCPCS Level II codes and short/long descriptors, the source for HCPCS code definitions and update history.
3.ICD-10-CM Full Code List. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.CMS's complete ICD-10-CM diagnosis code list, used to cross-reference diagnosis codes associated with this procedure or service.

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CPT 23415: Coracoacromial Ligament Release with Acromioplasty

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Billing Code Overview

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CPT 23415: Coracoacromial Ligament Release with Acromioplasty

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Billing Code Overview

Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

Coding Specifications

Related Diagnoses

Related CPT Codes

Related Codes

References

Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

Coding Specifications

Related Diagnoses

Related CPT Codes

Related Codes

References

CPT 23415: Coracoacromial Ligament Release with Acromioplasty

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Billing Code Overview

CPT 23415: Coracoacromial Ligament Release with Acromioplasty

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Billing Code Overview

Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

Coding Specifications

Related Diagnoses

Related CPT Codes

Related Codes

What does CPT code 23415 represent and where is this service typically performed?

Which related CPT codes should be considered when coding a coracoacromial ligament release with acromioplasty?

Which modifiers are commonly used with CPT 23415 and when are they applied?

What diagnoses or clinical scenarios commonly justify the use of CPT 23415?

Which specialties typically perform or support CPT 23415 and which payers are noted in the overview?

References

Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

Coding Specifications

Related Diagnoses

Related CPT Codes

Related Codes

What does CPT code 23415 represent and where is this service typically performed?

Which related CPT codes should be considered when coding a coracoacromial ligament release with acromioplasty?

Which modifiers are commonly used with CPT 23415 and when are they applied?

What diagnoses or clinical scenarios commonly justify the use of CPT 23415?

Which specialties typically perform or support CPT 23415 and which payers are noted in the overview?

References