CPT code 23802 represents open surgical shoulder arthrodesis: immobilization of the glenohumeral joint using fixation devices with autologous bone grafting to promote fusion. This procedure is used to restore stability and function when conservative care or prior joint replacement has failed, and it carries implications for surgical complexity, resource use, and post-operative rehabilitation recommendations nationwide. Key payers in the national scope include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will gain a concise clinical and billing orientation to the code, including the procedure’s purpose and typical sites of service, common billing modifiers (input provided), and the broader context for coverage and utilization discussions. The publication outlines benchmarks for claim categorization and coding accuracy, summarizes clinical indications tied to shoulder arthrodesis, and highlights areas where policy language or prior authorization criteria commonly affect access and payment. Data not available in the input is noted where applicable; this summary focuses on nationally relevant clinical and billing context rather than state-specific rules or payer-specific contract terms.