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    v1.0.30
    OpenPayerBilling CodesRepair, Revision, and/or Reconstruction Procedures on the Humerus (Upper Arm) and ElbowCPT cpt-24332-triceps-tendon-release-elbow-flexion
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    CPT 24332: Triceps Tendon Release for Improved Elbow Flexion

    Medicare pays $602 on average nationally for this procedure.

    CPT code 24332 describes a surgical procedure in which the provider releases or frees the triceps tendon around the elbow to improve joint flexion; this is an operative orthopedic soft-tissue procedure typically performed in an outpatient surgical suite or hospital operating room and described as tendon release for improved elbow bending and range of motion.

    For related coverage guidance, see recent payer policy updates: Ambulance and Medical Transport Services (Ground, Air and Water) Corporate Medical Policy, Emergency Air/Water Ambulance Services Medical Guideline, Non-Emergent Ambulance Services.

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    Clinical & Coding Specifications

    Clinical Context

    A typical patient is an adult presenting with decreased elbow flexion and posterior elbow pain due to triceps tendon adhesions or scarring after trauma, prior surgery, or chronic tendinopathy. The patient reports difficulty bending the elbow beyond a functional range, intermittent posterior elbow stiffness, and reduced ability to perform activities of daily living such as feeding or grooming. On exam there is limited active and passive elbow flexion with focal tenderness at the triceps insertion and restricted gliding of the triceps tendon. Conservative care (activity modification, NSAIDs, physical therapy, and corticosteroid injection if indicated) has failed.

    The clinical workflow includes preoperative evaluation with focused history and physical, plain radiographs to rule out bony pathology, informed consent, and perioperative planning. The procedure, coded as 24332, is performed in an outpatient ambulatory surgery center or hospital operating room under regional or general anesthesia. Intraoperatively the surgeon releases adhesions and frees the triceps tendon to restore excursion and elbow flexion. Postoperative care includes immobilization for the immediate period as indicated, early supervised range-of-motion therapy, pain control, and follow-up visit documentation of improved flexion and wound status.

    Related CPT Codes

    CPT CodeDescriptionRelationship to This Procedure
    24350Open treatment of distal humeral nonunion or malunion, with or without internal or external fixationPerformed when triceps release is required in conjunction with distal humerus reconstruction
    24346Open treatment of radial head fracture; with internal fixation, including implant removal when performedMay be performed in the same operative setting for concomitant elbow pathology affecting flexion
    29848Arthroscopy, elbow, surgical; debridement, limitedMinimally invasive option for joint debridement that may accompany triceps release when intra-articular pathology is present
    24345Radical resection of elbow joint for infection or severe arthritisMore extensive procedure when release alone is insufficient; may follow failed less invasive procedures
    99024Postoperative follow-up visit, global period, related to the original procedureUsed for reporting routine postoperative visits within the global surgical period

    Related Modifiers

    7 rows

    ModifierDescriptionWhen to Use
    50Modifier –50 (Bilateral Procedure) is appended to a CPT code when an identical procedure is performed on paired anatomical structures during the same operative session. The AMA states to add…- Use modifier -50 when the same CPT surgical, diagnostic, or radiology procedure is performed on paired anatomical structures (both sides of the body) during the same operative/session by the same…
    62Modifier 62 indicates that two surgeons function as co‑surgeons, each performing distinct parts of the same primary surgical procedure. It is appended to the primary procedure code (and any…- Use modifier -62 when two surgeons act as co‑surgeons (both primary surgeons) on a single definitive primary procedure, each performing distinct parts of the same surgical procedure (append -62 to…
    80CPT® Modifier 80 (Assistant Surgeon) is appended to a surgical CPT code when a physician (MD or DO) provides full, continuous assistance throughout the operative procedure. It is intended only for…- Use CPT Modifier -80 when a physician (MD or DO) serves as an assistant surgeon and provides full, continuous assistance throughout the entire operative procedure; append -80 to the surgical CPT…
    59Modifier 59 indicates a distinct procedural service when two procedures that are not normally billed together are clinically and procedurally separate. The CPT definition (as reiterated by CMS)…- Use modifier -59 to report a distinct procedural service when documentation supports that the procedure reported is not normally billed together with another service on the same day because of a…
    22Modifier –22 (Increased Procedural Services) is used when a reported procedure is substantially more extensive than normally required. The CPT Manual and CMS state it may be appended only when the…- When to use: Append modifier -22 to a procedural CPT code when the service performed is substantially more extensive than the usual service described by that code — i.e., the procedure required…
    52Modifier ‑52 (Reduced Services) indicates that a service or procedure was partially reduced or omitted at the provider’s discretion, allowing reporting of the basic procedure number with a qualifier…- Use modifier -52 when a physician or qualified health professional electively reduces or omits part of a procedure or service (for example, performing fewer required views or omitting a portion of…
    79Modifier 79 indicates a surgical procedure performed during the postoperative global period of a prior surgery that is unrelated to the original procedure. Per AMA/CPT and CMS guidance, it is…- Use modifier 79 when the same physician (or same‑specialty physician in the same group) performs a surgical procedure during the postoperative global period of a prior surgery and the new procedure…

    Related Provider Taxonomies

    8 rows

    Taxonomy Code
    207L00000X
    208000000X
    208M00000X
    207T00000X
    207K00000X
    1710I1002X
    1223X0008X
    1835I0206X

    Related ICD-10-CM Codes

    27 rows

    ICD-10-CM CodeDescription
    G56.01Carpal tunnel syndrome, right upper limb
    G56.02Carpal tunnel syndrome, left upper limb
    M19.011Primary osteoarthritis, right shoulder
    M19.012Primary osteoarthritis, left shoulder
    M19.071Primary osteoarthritis, right ankle and foot
    M19.072Primary osteoarthritis, left ankle and foot
    M25.321Other instability, right elbow
    M25.322Other instability, left elbow
    M25.611Stiffness of right shoulder, not elsewhere classified
    M25.612Stiffness of left shoulder, not elsewhere classified

    Showing 1–10 of 27

    Related Payer Policy Updates

    Specialty: Emergency & Medical Transportation1 / 3

    10 rows

    PolicyPayerEffective Date
    Ambulance and Medical Transport Services (Ground, Air and Water) Corporate Medical Policybcbsvermont2026-10-01
    Emergency Air/Water Ambulance Services Medical GuidelineWPS Health Insurance2026-10-01
    Non-Emergent Ambulance ServicesConnectiCare2026-09-11
    Fixed Wing Air Ambulance TransportCigna2026-08-15
    Air AmbulanceAmbetter Georgia2026-08-01
    Ambulance Services (for New Mexico Only)UnitedHealthcare2026-08-01
    Ambulance Services (for Tennessee Only)UnitedHealthcare2026-08-01
    Clinical Policy: Air AmbulanceAmbetter Nevada2026-08-01
    Air AmbulanceCentene2026-08-01
    Clinical Policy: Air AmbulanceArizona Complete Health2026-08-01

    Related Codes

    CPT-24300-ELBOW-MANIPULATION-UNDER-ANESTHESIA

    CPT 24300: Manipulation Under Anesthesia, Elbow

    CPT-24301-TENDON-MUSCLE-TRANSFER-UPPER-ARM-ELBOW

    CPT 24301: Tendon or Muscle Transfer, Upper Arm/Elbow

    CPT-24305-UPPER-ARM-ELBOW-TENDON-LENGTHENING-CONTRACTURE-RELEASE

    CPT 24305: Tendon Lengthening for Upper Arm/Elbow Contracture

    CPT-24310-OPEN-TENDON-RELEASE-ELBOW-UPPER-ARM-CONTRACTURE

    CPT 24310: Tenotomy and Release of Elbow Tendon Contracture

    CPT-24320-PECTORALIS-MAJOR-TO-BICEPS-TENDON-TRANSFER-ELBOW-FLEXION-RESTORATION

    CPT 24320: Pectoralis Major to Biceps Tendon Transfer (Tenoplasty)

    CPT-24330-ELBOW-FLEXOR-TRANSFER-RECONSTRUCTION

    CPT 24330: Elbow Flexor Muscle Transfer to Increase Flexion Strength

    CPT-24331-ELBOW-TENDON-TRANSFER-ELBOW-FLEXION-RECONSTRUCTION

    CPT 24331: Elbow Flexor and Extensor Tendon Transfer

    CPT-24340-DISTAL-BICEPS-TENDON-REPAIR

    CPT 24340: Repair of Distal Biceps Tendon

    CPT-24341-UPPER-ARM-ELBOW-TENDON-MUSCLE-REPAIR

    CPT 24341: Repair of Tendon or Muscle, Upper Arm/Elbow

    CPT-24342-BICEPS-TRICEPS-DISTAL-TENDON-REATTACHMENT

    CPT 24342: Distal Biceps or Triceps Tendon Reattachment

    Showing 1–10 of 33

    Frequently Asked Questions

    References

    1. 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. 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. 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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