Summary & Overview
CPT 24420: Humeral Shaft Osteotomy for Bone Length Correction
CPT code 24420 denotes a surgical orthopedic procedure to remove a segment of the humeral shaft to correct bone length. Nationally, this code captures corrective osteotomy interventions on the upper arm and is relevant for billing, clinical documentation, and utilization monitoring in orthopedic surgery. Proper coding supports accurate procedure tracking, resource planning, and appropriate payment across facility and professional settings. Key payers discussed include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find a concise explanation of the clinical intent of the code, typical sites of service, and the payer landscape that commonly covers such procedures. The publication outlines benchmarks and common billing practices where available, summarizes relevant policy points that affect coverage and reimbursement nationally, and provides clinical context to help coders and administrators align documentation with the procedure performed. Data not available in the input is noted where applicable.
Billing Code Overview
CPT code 24420 describes a surgical procedure in which a segment of the humeral shaft (humerus bone) is removed to correct bone length. This is an orthopedic corrective osteotomy procedure performed to adjust limb length and alignment.
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Service type: Surgical orthopedic procedure (humeral shaft osteotomy)
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Typical site of service: Hospital operating room or ambulatory surgical center
Clinical & Coding Specifications
Clinical Context
A typical patient is a 35–60 year-old adult with a malunited midshaft humeral fracture or congenital limb-length discrepancy presenting with upper-arm deformity, pain, functional limitation, or impaired shoulder/elbow mechanics. The orthopedic surgeon evaluates history, physical exam, and imaging (radiographs, CT as needed) and determines that a humeral shortening or corrective diaphyseal osteotomy with segmental bone resection is indicated to restore length, alignment, and rotation. Preoperative planning includes templating, neurovascular assessment, informed consent, and discussion of fixation options (plate and screws or intramedullary fixation). The procedure is typically performed in an operating room under general anesthesia with regional block adjunct. Intraoperative steps include exposure of the humeral shaft, osteotomy and resection of a segment of bone, correction of alignment, and internal fixation. Postoperative workflow includes pain control, neurovascular checks, immobilization or early mobilization per fixation stability, physical therapy, wound checks, and radiographic follow-up to assess union and alignment. Expected sites of service are inpatient or outpatient hospital operating room, ambulatory surgery center, or specialized orthopedic surgical center depending on patient comorbidity and facility resources.
Coding Specifications
| Modifier | Description | When to Use |
|---|---|---|
00 | No modifier used / default | Rarely reported as a billed modifier; included in the modifier set. |