Summary & Overview
CPT 27087: Removal of Foreign Body, Deep Pelvis or Hip
CPT code 27087 represents the surgical removal of a foreign body from deep tissues of the pelvis or hip. This procedure is clinically significant when retained objects pose infection, neurovascular, or functional risk and often requires operative exposure in an operating room or ambulatory surgical center. Nationally, accurate coding of deep pelvic or hip foreign body removal is important for clinical documentation, procedure tracking, and appropriate claims processing.
Key payers typically involved in coverage and reimbursement for this procedure include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Coverage policies and preauthorization requirements vary across payers and may depend on clinical indications, imaging confirmation, and setting of care.
Readers of this publication will find a concise overview of CPT code 27087, including clinical context, typical sites of service, and the scope of services it represents. The analysis covers payer coverage patterns, common billing considerations, and benchmarks where available. The material also outlines policy and documentation themes that influence claim adjudication and highlights clinical factors that commonly justify operative removal of deep pelvic or hip foreign bodies. Data not available in the input will be noted where applicable.
Billing Code Overview
CPT code 27087 describes the removal of a foreign body from deep tissue of the pelvis or hip. This is a surgical procedure focused on extracting nonnative material lodged within deep pelvic or hip soft tissues.
-
Service type: Surgical procedure for foreign body removal
-
Typical site of service: Operating room or procedure suite in a hospital or ambulatory surgical center
Clinical & Coding Specifications
Clinical Context
A 45-year-old construction worker presents to the emergency department after falling onto rebar, with persistent deep-seated pain and limited hip motion. Imaging (plain radiograph and CT) demonstrates a retained metallic foreign body lodged within the deep soft tissues adjacent to the greater trochanter of the femur. The orthopedic surgeon schedules operative removal under general anesthesia in an ambulatory surgery center or hospital operating room. Preoperative workflow includes informed consent, review of imaging to plan the surgical approach, antibiotic prophylaxis per facility protocol, and intraoperative fluoroscopic localization. The procedure involves an incision over the hip, careful dissection through subcutaneous tissue and fascia, retrieval of the foreign object from deep pelvic/hip soft tissues, hemostasis, irrigation, and layered closure. Postoperative care includes monitoring for bleeding, neurovascular status assessment, pain control, wound care instructions, and follow-up for suture removal and assessment for infection or retained fragments.
Coding Specifications
| Modifier | Description | When to Use |
|---|---|---|
11 | Indicates the office or outpatient visit as usual or default service | Use when the service is the primary procedure performed without unusual circumstances |
22 |