Summary & Overview
CPT 27424: Patellectomy for Dislocating Patella
CPT code 27424 designates a patellectomy — the surgical removal of the patella — performed to address a dislocating or recurrently dislocating kneecap that causes pain and dysfunction. As an orthopedic operative code, it is used in claims to document definitive surgical management when nonoperative care is ineffective or anatomically unsuitable. Nationally, this code matters because patellar instability and recurrent dislocation can lead to significant functional impairment and healthcare utilization; accurate coding affects surgical quality measures, payment parity across settings, and aggregate procedure tracking.
Key payers considered in typical coverage and reimbursement discussions include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find clinical context about the procedure and typical sites of service, an explanation of why precise coding matters for claims processing and quality measurement, and a summary of common billing considerations. Where specific payer policies or benchmarks would normally inform coverage or payment variability, this publication indicates whether those data are available. Data not available in the input will be noted as such.
This piece is intended for clinicians, billing professionals, and policy analysts seeking a concise national-level briefing on CPT code 27424, including what the code represents, where the service is typically delivered, and the areas where payer policy and coding accuracy intersect with clinical care.
Billing Code Overview
CPT code 27424 describes a surgical procedure that removes the patella (kneecap) to treat a chronically dislocating or recurrently dislocating patella. This procedure is an operative orthopedic intervention aimed at stabilizing the knee by excising the patella when conservative measures have failed or when anatomy and pathology make removal clinically indicated.
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Service type: Surgical orthopedic procedure (patellectomy)
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Typical site of service: Hospital inpatient or outpatient surgical center depending on clinical severity, patient comorbidity, and surgeon decision
Clinical & Coding Specifications
Clinical Context
A 28-year-old recreational athlete presents with recurrent lateral patellar instability causing pain, swelling, and functional limitation after conservative measures failed. Examination shows a history of multiple patellar subluxations/dislocations, apprehension sign, and patellofemoral maltracking. Imaging (weight-bearing radiographs and MRI) demonstrates chondral injury of the patellar facets and chronic malalignment with a small, symptomatic patella not amenable to realignment procedures. The orthopedic surgeon schedules a surgical patellectomy (CPT 27424) performed in an operating room under general anesthesia with regional block for postoperative pain control. Typical perioperative workflow includes preoperative evaluation, informed consent documenting indication and alternatives, anesthesia evaluation, operative removal of the patella with hemostasis and soft-tissue management, intraoperative specimen handling if tissue sent to pathology, and postoperative instructions for weight-bearing status, physical therapy, and wound care. Usual site of service is an inpatient or outpatient hospital surgical suite or ambulatory surgical center depending on case complexity and comorbidities. Typical payors include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, BUCA, and Medicare.
Coding Specifications
| Modifier | Description | When to Use |
|---|---|---|
00 | No modifier | Standard reporting when no specific modifier applies |