Summary & Overview
CPT 27350: Patellectomy (Partial or Total Removal of Kneecap)
CPT code 27350 denotes patellectomy — the partial or total surgical removal of the kneecap — used to manage patellar fractures, refractory patellofemoral arthritis, and select traumatic or degenerative conditions. Nationally, this code represents a relatively specialized orthopedic service with implications for surgical resource use, post‑operative rehabilitation needs, and payer coverage policies. Key payers discussed include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare.
Readers will find a concise clinical context for the procedure, typical sites of service, and an overview of common billing modifiers and reporting patterns where available. The publication summarizes benchmarks for utilization and reimbursement frameworks, highlights policy considerations that affect coverage and prior authorization, and outlines documentation elements that support coding at claim submission. This material is intended for billing professionals, hospital administrators, and orthopedic clinicians seeking a clear national overview of how CPT code 27350 is used and reimbursed in current practice.
Billing Code Overview
CPT code 27350 describes a surgical procedure in which the provider removes the patient’s kneecap (patella), either partially or completely, to treat conditions such as a patellar fracture or advanced arthritis. This procedure is an orthopedic surgical intervention focused on the patellofemoral joint.
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Service type: Surgical procedure — orthopedic excision or resection of the patella
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Typical site of service: Hospital operating room or ambulatory surgical center (inpatient or outpatient surgical setting)
Clinical & Coding Specifications
Clinical Context
A typical patient is a 65-year-old adult presenting with severe, progressive anterior knee pain, functional impairment, and radiographic evidence of advanced patellofemoral osteoarthritis or a comminuted patellar fracture that is not amenable to internal fixation. The patient has failed conservative therapies including activity modification, physical therapy, oral analgesics, and intra-articular injections. The orthopedic surgical team evaluates the patient in an outpatient clinic, obtains weight-bearing knee radiographs and, when indicated, CT imaging to assess fracture pattern or degenerative change. Preoperative assessment includes medical clearance, optimization of comorbidities, and informed consent for partial or total patellectomy. The procedure is typically performed in an ambulatory surgery center or hospital operating room under regional or general anesthesia. Postoperative workflow includes immediate recovery in the PACU, initiation of a structured rehabilitation plan with quadriceps-strengthening and range-of-motion exercises, pain control, wound checks, and scheduled follow-up visits to monitor healing and functional recovery. Documentation includes operative report detailing partial versus total removal of the patella, indications, findings, anesthesia, estimated blood loss, and implants or fixation attempted or removed.
Coding Specifications
| Modifier | Description | When to Use |
|---|---|---|
22 | Increased procedural services | Use when work or complexity is substantially greater than typical for (document specifics). |