Summary & Overview
CPT 29824: Arthroscopic Distal Claviculectomy (Mumford Procedure)
Headline: CPT 29824 — Arthroscopic Distal Claviculectomy (Mumford Procedure)
Lead: CPT 29824 identifies arthroscopic distal claviculectomy, commonly called the Mumford procedure, performed to remove the distal clavicle and relieve acromioclavicular joint–related pain. This procedure is performed via shoulder arthroscopy, typically in an outpatient hospital setting, and is relevant to orthopaedic surgical care pathways nationwide.
What this code represents and why it matters: CPT 29824 is used to report a targeted surgical intervention for acromioclavicular joint disorders and select rotator cuff–related conditions. Nationally, it matters for accurate surgical coding, bundled payment considerations, and outpatient surgical quality measurement because it is commonly performed in ambulatory hospital settings and may be billed alongside other shoulder arthroscopy procedures.
Key payers covered: The analysis includes major national payers: Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Coverage nuances, bundling rules, and allowable coding combinations vary across these payers.
What readers will learn: The publication provides a concise clinical and billing overview of CPT 29824, guidance on commonly reported coding adjacencies, payer coverage considerations, and clinical context for appropriate use. It highlights typical sites of service, relevant companion arthroscopic shoulder procedures, and common diagnostic indications. Data not available in the input is noted where necessary.
CPT Code Overview
CPT 29824 describes a surgical shoulder arthroscopy procedure: distal claviculectomy including distal articular surface (Mumford procedure). This procedure involves arthroscopic removal of the distal end of the clavicle to address pain and dysfunction related to acromioclavicular joint pathology.
Service type: Surgical procedure on the musculoskeletal system (shoulder arthroscopy)
Typical site of service: Outpatient Hospital (POS 22)
Clinical & Coding Specifications
Clinical Context
A 52-year-old patient presents to the orthopaedic clinic with months of progressive shoulder pain, localized to the acromioclavicular region and worsened by overhead activity. Conservative care including physical therapy, NSAIDs, and a corticosteroid injection provided limited relief. Imaging (radiographs and MRI) demonstrates distal clavicular osteoarthritis with impingement changes and a possible concomitant rotator cuff partial-thickness tear. The surgical plan is an arthroscopic distal claviculectomy (Mumford procedure) to remove the symptomatic distal clavicle and resect the articular surface, performed in an outpatient hospital setting (POS 22) under general anesthesia with regional block as indicated. The typical workflow includes preoperative evaluation and history/physical, anesthesia assessment, operative arthroscopy with distal claviculectomy, intraoperative documentation of side laterality, immediate postoperative recovery, and standard postoperative instructions and follow-up for rehabilitation.
Coding Specifications
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Common Modifiers
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RT: Used when the procedure is performed on the right shoulder. -
LT: Used when the procedure is performed on the left shoulder. -
59: Used to indicate a Distinct Procedural Service when another procedure or service is performed on the same day that is not typically bundled with the primary procedure and meets the definition of a separate service. -
51: Used to indicate were performed during the same operative session when more than one distinct procedure is billed by the same provider.