Summary & Overview
CPT 27299: Unlisted Pelvis or Hip Joint Procedure
CPT code 27299 is an unlisted procedure code used to report pelvic or hip joint procedures that lack a specific CPT descriptor. As an unlisted surgical code, 27299 matters nationally because it is the mechanism for reporting atypical or novel pelvis/hip procedures and for enabling payment consideration when no precise code exists. Use of unlisted codes often triggers additional documentation and review by payers.
Key payers covered in this analysis include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find a concise overview of how 27299 is used clinically, typical sites of service, and common modifier pairings. The publication outlines typical billing and documentation expectations for unlisted pelvic and hip procedures, discusses payer considerations and potential review triggers, and highlights where additional documentation is commonly required for adjudication.
This national summary presents the clinical context for using 27299, explains the implications for claims review and payment processing, and identifies operational considerations for billing teams and revenue cycle managers. Data not available in the input for payer-specific rates, associated taxonomies, ICD-10 mappings, and related codes is noted where applicable.
Billing Code Overview
CPT code 27299 is an unlisted procedure code used to report a pelvis or hip joint procedure that does not have a specific CPT code. It is intended for surgical or procedural services involving the pelvis or hip joint when the exact procedure is not described elsewhere in the CPT code set.
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Service type: Surgical or procedural service to the pelvis or hip joint
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Typical site of service: Hospital operating room, ambulatory surgical center, or other procedural setting appropriate for hip or pelvic surgery
Clinical & Coding Specifications
Clinical Context
A typical patient is a 58-year-old adult presenting with chronic lateral hip pain and mechanical symptoms after prior hip surgery or with an uncommon pelvis/hip pathology not covered by specific CPT codes. The patient has failed conservative management (physical therapy, NSAIDs, image-guided injections) and is scheduled for an operative procedure tailored to an atypical lesion of the pelvis or hip joint. The workflow includes preoperative evaluation by an orthopedic surgeon with hip specialization, informed consent documenting the unusual nature of the procedure and rationale for using 27299, preoperative imaging (radiographs, MRI, or CT), intraoperative documentation describing the exact work performed, reporting of applicable modifiers for professional or technical components and laterality, and postoperative follow-up documenting outcomes and any complications.
Coding Specifications
| Modifier | Description | When to Use |
|---|---|---|
50 | Bilateral procedure | Use when the atypical pelvis/hip procedure is performed on both sides during the same operative session. |
LT | Left side |