Summary & Overview
CPT 24120: Excision of Bone Cyst or Benign Tumor, Radius
CPT code 24120 represents the surgical excision of a bone cyst or benign tumor from the radius. This orthopedic procedure addresses localized osseous lesions that can cause pain, mechanical dysfunction, or risk of pathologic fracture, and it may be performed in outpatient surgical settings, ambulatory surgical centers, or inpatient hospitals depending on clinical complexity. Nationally, accurate coding for such procedures matters for care coordination, quality tracking, and appropriate payment for surgical orthopedic services.
Key payers covered in the analysis include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find clinical context for the procedure, typical sites of service, and the kinds of benchmarks and policy considerations that influence coverage and prior authorization for surgical bone lesion management. The publication outlines expected documentation elements, common billing modifiers, and patterns in utilization and reimbursement where available. It also summarizes relevant policy updates and payer-specific considerations that affect authorization, bundling, and inpatient versus outpatient payment decisions.
This summary is intended for a national audience of billing professionals, orthopedic clinicians, and policy analysts seeking a concise reference for CPT code 24120 and its role in surgical management of benign radius lesions.
Billing Code Overview
CPT code 24120 describes the surgical excision or removal of a bone cyst or benign (noncancerous) tumor from a portion of the radius bone. This procedure is a type of orthopedic surgical service focused on removing localized bony lesions to relieve pain, prevent fracture, restore function, or obtain tissue for diagnosis.
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Service type: Surgical excision of bone lesion (orthopedic procedure)
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Typical site of service: Hospital outpatient department or ambulatory surgical center; may also occur in an inpatient hospital setting when clinically indicated.
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Clinical & Coding Specifications
Clinical Context
A typical patient is a 12–25-year-old individual presenting with focal forearm pain, intermittent swelling, or pathologic fracture after minor trauma. Imaging (plain radiographs, sometimes followed by MRI or CT) identifies a well-circumscribed, lytic lesion within the distal or midshaft radius consistent with a benign bone cyst or nonmalignant bone tumor (for example, unicameral bone cyst or enchondroma). Orthopedic hand/upper-extremity or pediatric orthopedic surgeons evaluate the lesion; nonoperative management is considered for asymptomatic, small lesions. Surgical management using the procedure 24120 (excision/removal of a bone cyst or noncancerous tumor of the radius) is indicated when there is persistent pain, cortical thinning with fracture risk, mechanical symptoms, or diagnostic uncertainty.
Preoperative workflow includes history and physical, informed consent, imaging review, and planning for possible bone grafting or internal fixation. The procedure is typically performed in an ambulatory surgery center or hospital operating room under general or regional anesthesia with fluoroscopic guidance. Intraoperative steps include exposure of the radius, curettage or excision of the lesion, specimen submission for pathology, and defect management (bone grafting, bone substitute, or internal fixation if indicated). Postoperative care involves immobilization, pain control, wound checks, and radiographic follow-up to monitor healing and detect recurrence. Rehabilitation and activity restrictions are based on lesion size and fixation status.
Coding Specifications
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