CPT code 27381 denotes the secondary repair of the infrapatellar tendon, a focused orthopaedic procedure addressing delayed or failed primary repair of the tendon connecting the patella to the tibia. Nationally, this code matters because it captures surgical care for complex or recurrent extensor mechanism injuries that can affect mobility, rehabilitation needs, and resource use. The code also signals cases that may require advanced surgical technique, longer operative times, and extended postoperative care.

Key payers covered in this review include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find a concise outline of clinical context, typical sites of service, and what to expect when this service is billed. The publication summarizes available benchmarks for utilization and reimbursement patterns, highlights relevant coding considerations and modifier usage where applicable, and provides policy and payer-level payment trends affecting access to operative repair of infrapatellar tendon disruptions.

This resource is intended to orient billing managers, orthopaedic clinicians, and policy analysts to the clinical purpose of CPT code 27381, common billing scenarios, and the types of documentation and surgical settings associated with secondary infrapatellar tendon repair. Data not available in the input will be clearly identified in the detailed sections.