Loading...

    Explore
    • Policy Monitoring
    • Live Policy Feed
    • Billing Codes
    • Healthcare Providers
    • Health Insurance Payers
    • States
    • Service Lines
    • Taxonomy Codes
    Lookup tools
    • Billing Code Lookup
    • CPT Modifier Lookup
    • Provider Taxonomy Code Lookup
    • Healthcare Provider & Facility Lookup
    • Health Insurance Payer Lookup
    • Payer Contact Directory

    Policy & Benchmark Tools

    • Prior Authorization Lookup
    • Coverage Criteria Lookup
    • Timely Filing Lookup
    • Billing Code Reimbursement Rates
    • Payer Comparison Dashboard
    • Facility Comparison Dashboard
    • All tools

    Company

    • About OpenPayer
    • Data Sources
    • Trek Health
    OpenPayerby Trek Health
    LinkedInYouTube

    © 2026 Trek Health. All rights reserved.

    OpenPayer is built and maintained by Trek Health.

    v1.0.31
    OpenPayerBilling CodesRepair, Revision, and/or Reconstruction Procedures on the Femur (Thigh Region) and Knee JointCPT cpt-27441-tibial-reconstruction-debridement-partial-synovectomy-knee
    Ask Trek AI about this page

    CPT 27441: Tibial Reconstruction with Debridement and Partial Synovectomy

    Medicare pays $782 on average nationally for this procedure.

    CPT code 27441 describes surgical reconstruction of the tibial portion of the knee with debridement and partial synovectomy performed to relieve pain and improve gait; typical service type is orthopedic reconstruction with joint debridement, and the usual site of service is an inpatient or outpatient surgical setting such as an operating room in a hospital or ambulatory surgical center.

    For related coverage guidance, see recent payer policy updates: Implants for Joint Pain, Orthopedic Applications of Stem Cell Therapy, Bone Lengthening (Distraction Osteogenesis).

    Customize your policy alerts

    Sign up for cpt 27441 policy alerts

    Get alerted when payer policies referencing 27441 are released or updated.

    Monitor payer policy activity

    Receive email alerts as soon as relevant payer policies are published or updated.

    Table of contents

    Progress1 / 7

    Explore openpayer tools

    • Billing CodesCPT, HCPCS, DRG & more
    • Reimbursement RatesCommercial vs. Medicare rate reports
    • Facility ComparisonBeds, revenue & payer mix
    • ProvidersHospitals & facilities
    • PayersPlans & market footprint
    • Taxonomy CodesNUCC specialty codes
    • ModifiersCPT modifiers & usage
    • Prior AuthorizationPA policies by payer & drug
    • Timely FilingFiling deadlines by payer
    • Coverage CriteriaMedical necessity by payer
    • Payer ContactsClaims, PA & appeals contacts
    View all tools

    Clinical & Coding Specifications

    Clinical Context

    A typical patient is a 62-year-old ambulatory adult with chronic medial compartment osteoarthritis and progressive anteromedial tibial plateau collapse causing pain, reduced knee range of motion, and an antalgic gait. Conservative measures including activity modification, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, intraarticular corticosteroid injections, physical therapy, and bracing provided incomplete relief. Imaging (weight-bearing radiographs and MRI) demonstrates focal tibial plateau degeneration with loose articular fragments and synovial hypertrophy. The orthopedic surgeon schedules reconstruction of the tibial part of the knee with debridement and partial synovectomy to remove diseased bone and cartilage, recontour the tibial surface, address unstable fragments, and reduce synovial impingement.

    Preoperative workflow includes history and physical, medical clearance, medication reconciliation, informed consent with discussion of risks (infection, bleeding, stiffness), and baseline neurovascular exam. Intraoperative steps typically involve regional or general anesthesia, a sterile knee arthrotomy or arthroscopic-assisted approach, debridement of devitalized bone and cartilage on the tibial plateau, partial synovectomy to remove inflamed synovium, reconstruction or grafting of the tibial articular surface as indicated, hemostasis, and layered closure. Postoperative care includes pain control, early range-of-motion exercises, deep vein thrombosis prophylaxis per protocol, weight-bearing status based on reconstruction stability, and outpatient follow-up with radiographic assessment and rehabilitation to restore gait and function.

    Related CPT Codes

    CPT CodeDescriptionRelationship to This Procedure
    27447Repair, primary, torn anterior cruciate ligament, includes fascial or other graft; autograftMay be performed concurrently if ACL reconstruction is indicated with tibial reconstruction
    29881Arthroscopy, knee, surgical; with meniscal repair (medial AND lateral)Arthroscopic debridement or partial synovectomy may be done arthroscopically either prior to or instead of open reconstruction
    27310Arthrotomy, knee, with exploration, drainage, or synovectomy, openRelated synovectomy procedures; partial synovectomy may be coded with this or the primary reconstruction code depending on documentation
    27486Open treatment of tibial plateau fracture, includes internal fixation, when performedUsed when tibial reconstruction is fracture-related and requires fixation rather than isolated debridement/recontouring
    20610Arthrocentesis, aspiration and/or injection, major joint or bursa (e.g., shoulder, hip, knee)Often performed preoperatively for diagnostic aspiration or intraoperative therapeutic injections
    29870Arthroscopy, knee, diagnostic, with or without synovial biopsyDiagnostic arthroscopy and synovial biopsy are commonly performed before definitive reconstruction

    Related Modifiers

    7 rows

    ModifierDescriptionWhen to Use
    22Modifier –22 (Increased Procedural Services) is used when a reported procedure is substantially more extensive than normally required. The CPT Manual and CMS state it may be appended only when the…- When to use: Append modifier -22 to a procedural CPT code when the service performed is substantially more extensive than the usual service described by that code — i.e., the procedure required…
    52Modifier ‑52 (Reduced Services) indicates that a service or procedure was partially reduced or omitted at the provider’s discretion, allowing reporting of the basic procedure number with a qualifier…- Use modifier -52 when a physician or qualified health professional electively reduces or omits part of a procedure or service (for example, performing fewer required views or omitting a portion of…
    53Modifier 53 (Discontinued Procedure) signals that a surgical or diagnostic service was begun by the physician but terminated because of extenuating circumstances that threatened the patient’s…- Use modifier -53 when a physician/qualified healthcare professional has started a surgical or diagnostic procedure (e.g., anesthesia administered, incision or scope insertion) and then discontinues…
    62Modifier 62 indicates that two surgeons function as co‑surgeons, each performing distinct parts of the same primary surgical procedure. It is appended to the primary procedure code (and any…- Use modifier -62 when two surgeons act as co‑surgeons (both primary surgeons) on a single definitive primary procedure, each performing distinct parts of the same surgical procedure (append -62 to…
    76Modifier -76, Repeat Procedure or Service by Same Physician or Other Qualified Health Care Professional, is appended when the same provider performs an identical, medically necessary procedure or…- Use modifier -76 when the same physician or other qualified health care professional performs an identical procedure or service a second (or subsequent) time on the same date of service and the…
    80CPT® Modifier 80 (Assistant Surgeon) is appended to a surgical CPT code when a physician (MD or DO) provides full, continuous assistance throughout the operative procedure. It is intended only for…- Use CPT Modifier -80 when a physician (MD or DO) serves as an assistant surgeon and provides full, continuous assistance throughout the entire operative procedure; append -80 to the surgical CPT…
    81Modifier -81 indicates a physician served as a minimal assistant surgeon for part—not all—of an operative procedure. Use when a physician’s assisting role is limited and does not represent full…- Use CPT modifier -81 when a physician acts as a minimum assistant surgeon who assists during only part (a limited portion) of an operative procedure; append -81 to the primary surgical CPT code to…

    Related Provider Taxonomies

    8 rows

    Taxonomy Code
    207L00000X
    207K00000X
    207R00000X
    363A00000X
    246ZB0600X
    111NN1001X
    246XC2903X
    333600000X

    Related ICD-10-CM Codes

    21 rows

    ICD-10-CM CodeDescription
    M00.9Pyogenic arthritis, unspecified
    M06.861Other specified rheumatoid arthritis, right knee
    M12.561Traumatic arthropathy, right knee
    M17.0Bilateral primary osteoarthritis of knee
    M17.11Unilateral primary osteoarthritis, right knee
    M17.12Unilateral primary osteoarthritis, left knee
    M17.2Bilateral post-traumatic osteoarthritis of knee
    M17.4Other bilateral secondary osteoarthritis of knee
    M17.5Other unilateral secondary osteoarthritis of knee
    M17.9Osteoarthritis of knee, unspecified

    Showing 1–10 of 21

    Related Payer Policy Updates

    Specialty: Orthopedics/Musculoskeletal1 / 3

    10 rows

    PolicyPayerEffective Date
    Implants for Joint PainBlue Cross Blue Shield - Rhode Island2027-03-01
    Orthopedic Applications of Stem Cell TherapyBlue Cross Blue Shield - Rhode Island2027-01-01
    Bone Lengthening (Distraction Osteogenesis)Blue Cross Blue Shield - North Dakota2027-01-01
    Orthopedic Joint Procedures of the Knee for Managed Medicaid (MMC), Health and Recovery Plan (HARP), Child Health Plus (CHP), and Essential Plan (EP) Membersuniverahealthcare2027-01-01
    Sacroiliac Joint Fusion for the Treatment of Adult Low-Back Pain Medical PolicyHealth-New-England2026-12-01
    Bone Grafts and Stabilization Devices for Spinal Defects - Medical PolicyHealth-New-England2026-12-01
    Implantable Shock Absorbers for Treatment of Knee Osteoarthritisblue cross blue shield - louisiana2026-12-01
    Autologous Chondrocyte Transplantation or Implantation Corporate Medical Policybcbsvermont2026-12-01
    Cartilage Implants for Joint Painpremerabluecrossofwashington2026-11-06
    Cartilage Implants for Joint Painpremerabluecrossofwashington2026-11-06

    Related Codes

    CPT-27380-INFRAPATELLAR-TENDON-PRIMARY-REPAIR

    CPT 27380: Primary Repair of Infrapatellar (Patellar) Tendon

    CPT-27381-SECONDARY-INFRAPATELLAR-TENDON-REPAIR

    CPT 27381: Secondary Repair of Infrapatellar Tendon

    CPT-27385-HAMSTRING-QUADRICEPS-RUPTURE-REPAIR-SUTURE

    CPT 27385: Primary Repair of Hamstring or Quadriceps Rupture

    CPT-27386-SECONDARY-QUADRICEPS-HAMSTRING-REPAIR-AUTOGRAFT

    CPT 27386: Secondary Repair of Quadriceps or Hamstring with Graft

    CPT-27390-OPEN-TENOTOMY-HAMSTRING-SINGLE-TENDON

    CPT 27390: Open Tenotomy of Hamstring Tendon

    CPT-27391-OPEN-HAMSTRING-TENOTOMY

    CPT 27391: Open Tenotomy of Multiple Hamstring Tendons

    CPT-27392-OPEN-TENOTOMY-HAMSTRING-BILATERAL

    CPT 27392: Open Bilateral Hamstring Tenotomy

    CPT-27393-HAMSTRING-TENDON-LENGTHENING

    CPT 27393: Hamstring Tendon Lengthening

    CPT-27394-HAMSTRING-TENDON-LENGTHENING-UNILATERAL

    CPT 27394: Hamstring Tendon Lengthening, Unilateral

    CPT-27395-HAMSTRING-TENDON-LENGTHENING-BILATERAL

    CPT 27395: Bilateral Hamstring Tendon Lengthening

    Showing 1–10 of 59

    Frequently Asked Questions

    References

    1. 1.CPT® Codes and Descriptions. AAPC. Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.Maintains the CPT code set's official descriptions and guidelines, licensed from the American Medical Association, used as the definitional source for CPT codes on this page.
    2. 2.HCPCS Quarterly Update. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.CMS's quarterly release of HCPCS Level II codes and short/long descriptors, the source for HCPCS code definitions and update history.
    3. 3.ICD-10-CM Full Code List. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.CMS's complete ICD-10-CM diagnosis code list, used to cross-reference diagnosis codes associated with this procedure or service.
    Published by

    Trek Health powers OpenPayer with a leading commercial payer intelligence platform, seamlessly converting fragmented payer data into actionable insights for provider organizations.

    Trek Health ingests and normalizes Transparency in Coverage data and payer policy updates to give provider organizations a clear view of how commercial reimbursement behaves across markets, payers, and services. Our platform transforms raw payer disclosures into structured intelligence that supports contract evaluation, payer negotiations, and service line strategy. By combining market benchmarks with ongoing policy visibility, Trek helps teams identify variability, risk, and opportunity in commercial reimbursement. The result is faster insight, stronger negotiating positions, and more informed financial decisions.