Summary & Overview
CPT 24360: Elbow Interposition (Membrane) Arthroplasty
CPT code 24360 represents membrane (interposition) arthroplasty of the elbow, a surgical procedure that resurfaces the arthritic articular surface using graft material (for example, fascia lata, dermis, or Achilles tendon). This procedure addresses severe elbow joint damage and aims to relieve pain and restore function for patients who are not candidates for simpler interventions. Nationally, the code is relevant to orthopedic surgery, postoperative care pathways, and facility payment policies for complex elbow reconstruction.
Key payers in this analysis include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find a concise overview of clinical context, typical sites of service, and the service type associated with the code. The publication summarizes common billing considerations and benchmark topics relevant to payers, highlights policy and coverage themes affecting access to interposition arthroplasty, and outlines areas where coding and documentation are commonly reviewed.
This summary equips clinicians, coding staff, and policy analysts with the essential context for CPT code 24360, clarifies where the procedure is commonly performed, and identifies the payers covered in the analysis. Data not available in the input is noted where applicable in later sections.
Billing Code Overview
CPT code 24360 describes membrane (interposition) arthroplasty of the elbow. In this surgical procedure, the provider resurfaces the arthritic articular surface of a severely damaged elbow using a graft such as fascia lata, dermis, or Achilles tendon to relieve pain and improve function.
Service type: Surgical — Elbow interposition arthroplasty
Typical site of service: Hospital operating room or ambulatory surgical center
Clinical & Coding Specifications
Clinical Context
A 62-year-old right-hand-dominant male with end-stage post-traumatic osteoarthritis of the right elbow presents with severe pain, limited range of motion, and functional impairment despite conservative care including NSAIDs, intra-articular steroid injections, and physical therapy. Imaging demonstrates obliteration of the articular cartilage with joint incongruity but preserved bone stock adequate for a soft-tissue interposition. After preoperative evaluation and informed consent, the orthopedic surgeon schedules membrane (interposition) arthroplasty using autologous fascia lata graft harvested from the ipsilateral thigh. The patient undergoes general or regional anesthesia in an ambulatory surgery center or hospital operating room; the procedure includes joint exposure, debridement of degenerative cartilage, placement and fixation of the graft to resurface the articular surface, irrigation, and layered closure. Postoperative workflow includes recovery in PACU, pain control, early immobilization followed by a supervised rehabilitation program with progressively guided passive and active range-of-motion exercises and periodic outpatient follow-up.
Coding Specifications
| Modifier | Description | When to Use |
|---|---|---|
22 | Increased procedural services | Use when the procedure required substantially greater work than typical due to extensive dissection or prolonged operative time. |