Summary & Overview
CPT 27070: Superficial Partial Excision of Ilium, Pubis, Greater Trochanter
Headline: CPT code 27070 — Superficial partial excision of ilium, symphysis pubis, or greater trochanter
Lead: CPT code 27070 identifies a surgical procedure for superficial partial excision of bony surfaces of the pelvic wing (ilium), symphysis pubis, or greater trochanter of the femur using techniques such as craterization or saucerization. The code captures targeted, superficial bone removal procedures commonly performed to address localized lesions, chronic bony irritation, or focal pathology near these anatomic landmarks.
Why it matters: As a defined procedural code in the Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) set, 27070 affects coding accuracy, clinical documentation, and payment for orthopedic and trauma services across hospital outpatient departments, ambulatory surgery centers, and inpatient settings. Correct use of the code supports consistent claims processing and data capture for musculoskeletal surgical care.
Payers covered: This summary aligns with national payers including Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare.
What readers will learn: The publication provides benchmarks and clinical context for CPT code 27070, clarifies typical sites of service and service type, and outlines common documentation considerations that influence payer adjudication. It also highlights related billing and coding topics such as appropriate code selection for pelvic and proximal femoral superficial bone procedures and common modifier usage where applicable.
Data notes: Data not available in the input for associated taxonomies, ICD-10 diagnoses, and related codes.
Billing Code Overview
CPT code 27070 describes a superficial partial excision of a portion of the wing of the ilium, symphysis pubis, or greater trochanter of the femur. The procedure uses techniques such as craterization or saucerization to remove superficial bone or lesion from these pelvic or proximal femoral sites.
Service Type: Surgical — Orthopedic / Musculoskeletal procedure involving superficial bone excision
Typical Site of Service: Hospital outpatient department, ambulatory surgery center, or operating room
Clinical & Coding Specifications
Clinical Context
A typical patient is an adult presenting with a localized bony prominence or chronic superficial bone lesion of the iliac wing, pubic symphysis, or greater trochanter causing pain, pressure on soft tissues, or recurrent bursitis. Common clinical workflow: initial evaluation in orthopedics or podiatry/orthopedic clinic with history, focused musculoskeletal exam, and imaging (plain radiographs ± CT) confirming a superficial cortical lesion or exostosis. Conservative care (NSAIDs, activity modification, physical therapy, aspiration of bursae if present) is attempted. When symptoms persist or the lesion causes soft-tissue irritation, the patient is scheduled for a superficial partial excision (craterization/saucerization) of the involved bony wing or trochanter under regional or general anesthesia in an ambulatory surgery center or hospital outpatient department. Intraoperative steps include localizing the lesion, limited cortical removal using curette, rongeur, or burr to saucerize the area, hemostasis, layered closure, and brief postoperative recovery with discharge instructions for wound care and activity modification. Typical sites of service are outpatient surgical center or hospital outpatient setting. Expected payors include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, BUCA, and Medicare.
Coding Specifications
- Modifiers table
| Modifier | Description | When to Use |
|---|---|---|
26 | Professional component |