Summary & Overview
CPT 24920: Complete Transverse Osteotomy of Humerus
CPT code 24920 denotes a complete transverse osteotomy of the humerus — a surgical procedure in which the bone of the upper arm is fully cut through by encircling and sawing the humerus. This code is used to report definitive open/invasive orthopedic bone surgery on the upper arm and is relevant for surgical billing, utilization tracking, and clinical documentation. Nationally, accurate coding of procedures like 24920 matters for resource allocation, quality measurement, and ensuring appropriate surgical documentation across hospital and ambulatory surgery settings.
Key payers covered in this analysis include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find a concise synthesis of clinical context, typical sites of service, and the policy and coverage considerations that commonly affect claims for major orthopedic bone procedures. The publication outlines benchmark considerations and common billing practices for this service line, and summarizes the clinical scenario this code represents.
This summary is intended for coding professionals, billing managers, and policy analysts seeking a clear description of CPT code 24920, the clinical procedure it represents, and the payer landscape affecting its use. Data not available in the input is noted where applicable.
Billing Code Overview
CPT code 24920 describes a surgical procedure in which the provider performs a complete transverse osteotomy of the humerus by encircling the bone and cutting through it, for example using a saw. This procedure represents a definitive surgical division of the upper arm (humerus).
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Service type: Surgical procedure — open/invasive orthopedic bone surgery
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Typical site of service: Operating room or surgical suite in an acute care hospital or ambulatory surgery center
Data not available in the input.
Clinical & Coding Specifications
Clinical Context
A typically encountered patient is an adult who sustained a complex, non-reconstructable humeral fracture or tumor requiring surgical resection of a segment of the humerus. The patient presents to the hospital from the emergency department or clinic with severe midshaft humeral fracture with bone fragmentation and neurovascular intact but unstable alignment, or with a solitary bone tumor of the humerus requiring en bloc resection. Preoperative evaluation includes imaging (plain radiographs, CT or MRI as indicated), preoperative labs, anesthesia assessment, and informed consent explaining risks including infection, bleeding, and potential neurovascular injury. The procedure is performed in an operating room under general or regional anesthesia. The surgeon performs a circumferential osteotomy of the humeral shaft—running the cutting instrument around the humerus and completing the transverse cut through the bone (for example, with an oscillating saw) — followed by appropriate stabilization, reconstruction, or prosthetic placement as indicated. Postoperative workflow includes intraoperative specimen handling if tumor, immediate postoperative neurovascular checks, pain control, imaging to confirm resection level and fixation, inpatient or ambulatory recovery per anesthesia and comorbidity status, and arrangement of postoperative follow-up and rehabilitation.
Coding Specifications
| Modifier | Description | When to Use |
|---|---|---|
22 | Increased procedural services | Use when work, time, or intensity substantially exceeds the typical service for (document justification). |