HCPCS Level II C1713: Implantable Anchor/Screw for Bone or Soft Tissue

HCPCS Level II code C1713 denotes an implantable anchor or screw used for opposing bone-to-bone fixation or securing soft tissue to bone. These devices are integral to orthopedic and certain soft-tissue repair procedures, supporting stabilization and healing after trauma, reconstructive, or elective surgeries. Nationally, implantable fixation devices represent a significant component of surgical supply costs and are closely tracked for coding accuracy, clinical documentation, and payer coverage determinations.

Key payers addressed in this analysis include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find a concise explanation of what C1713 represents, typical sites of service, and the clinical contexts in which the device is used. The publication provides benchmarking and coverage context where available, notes common modifier usage and billing considerations, and highlights policy and documentation issues that affect claim adjudication and reimbursement for implantable fixation devices. The content is presented for a national audience to support coding clarity, billing consistency, and payer communication for procedures involving this implantable anchor/screw.

Billing Code Overview

HCPCS Level II code C1713 describes an anchor/screw for opposing bone-to-bone or soft tissue-to-bone (implantable). This device is used to secure bone fragments or attach soft tissue to bone during surgical procedures.

Service type: Implantable orthopedic anchor/screw for fixation and soft-tissue attachment
Typical site of service: Hospital inpatient and outpatient surgical settings, ambulatory surgical centers, and specialty orthopedic procedure suites

Clinical Context

A typical patient is a 45-year-old recreational athlete presenting with persistent shoulder pain and mechanical instability after a traumatic anterior dislocation. Conservative care including physical therapy and anti-inflammatory medication failed over several months. Clinical evaluation and imaging (MRI) demonstrate a Bankart lesion with a detached labrum and glenoid bone loss requiring surgical fixation. The procedure involves arthroscopic or open insertion of implantable anchors/screws to reattach soft tissue to bone and/or to reduce opposing bone fragments.

Preoperative workflow includes history and physical, informed consent, anesthesia evaluation, and documentation of operative indication (e.g., recurrent dislocation, failed conservative care). Intraoperative workflow includes arthroscopic inspection, preparation of bone bed, placement of one or more implantable anchors/screws (billing code C1713 for anchor/screw implantable), suture fixation of labrum or reduction and fixation of bone fragments, hemostasis, and wound closure. Postoperative workflow includes recovery from anesthesia, pain control, immobilization (sling), postoperative instructions, and scheduled follow-up for rehabilitation and hardware monitoring.

Coding Specifications

Modifier	Description	When to Use
`AS`	Ambulatory surgical center facility service	When the implantable anchor/screw is provided during a procedure in an ambulatory surgical center and facility billing applies.

Taxonomy Code	Specialty	Notes
`207L00000X`	Orthopaedic Surgery	Primary specialty performing implantable anchor/screw placement for bone and soft-tissue fixation.
`208600000X`	General Surgery	May perform fixation in trauma scenarios or reconstructive procedures.
`208M00000X`	Sports Medicine (Orthopaedics)	Subspecialty focusing on arthroscopic soft-tissue repair using anchors in athletes.
`2084N0401X`	Hand Surgery	Performs fixation with anchors/screws for small joint or tendon-to-bone repairs when applicable.

Related Diagnoses

ICD-10 Code	Description	Clinical Relevance
`S43.012A`	Anterior dislocation of right shoulder, initial encounter	Indicates traumatic shoulder dislocation leading to labral or bony injury that may require anchor fixation.
`S43.011A`	Anterior dislocation of left shoulder, initial encounter	Indicates traumatic left shoulder dislocation with similar fixation indications.
`M75.10`	Unspecified rotator cuff tear or rupture of shoulder, unspecified shoulder	Rotator cuff tendon-to-bone repairs commonly use implantable anchors.
`S43.141A`	Superior glenoid labrum lesion of right shoulder, initial encounter	SLAP lesions are repaired with suture anchors to reattach the labrum.
`S43.142A`	Superior glenoid labrum lesion of left shoulder, initial encounter	Left-sided SLAP lesion repaired using anchors.
`M24.411`	Recurrent dislocation, right shoulder	Recurrent instability often necessitates surgical stabilization with anchors.
`M24.412`	Recurrent dislocation, left shoulder	Left-sided recurrent instability indicating stabilization with anchors.
`S42.001A`	Fracture of clavicle, unspecified, initial encounter	Clavicle or periarticular fractures may be fixed with screws/anchors depending on pattern.

Related CPT Codes

CPT Code	Description	Relationship to This Procedure
`29806`	Arthroscopy, shoulder, surgical; capsulorrhaphy	Commonly performed arthroscopically with placement of anchors to repair the labrum and capsule.
`23455`	Repair of ruptured musculotendinous cuff (rotator cuff), open; acute	May be associated when anchors are used for tendon-to-bone fixation in open rotator cuff repair.
`23650`	Open treatment of shoulder dislocation with fixation	May accompany anchor/screw implantation when bone fragments require fixation.
`29807`	Arthroscopy, shoulder, surgical; repair of SLAP lesion	Anchor placement is the typical method for SLAP repair performed arthroscopically.
`20670`	Removal of implant; deep (requiring incision)	Potential subsequent procedure if implanted anchors/screws require removal due to complications.

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Summary & Overview