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    v1.0.30
    OpenPayerBilling CodesOutpatient PPSHCPCS hcpcs-c8003-medial-knee-extraarticular-implantable-shock-absorber
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    HCPCS Level II C8003: Medial Knee Extraarticular Shock Absorber Implantation

    HCPCS Level II code C8003 describes open implantation of a medial knee extraarticular implantable shock absorber that spans the knee joint from distal femur to proximal tibia, and includes measurements, positioning and adjustments with imaging guidance (e.g., fluoroscopy); service type: surgical implantation of an extraarticular knee load‑reducing device; typical site of service: hospital operating room or ambulatory surgical center where open orthopedic implant procedures with intraoperative imaging are performed.

    For related coverage guidance, see recent payer policy updates: Percutaneous Left Atrial Appendage Closure Devices for Stroke Prevention in Atrial Fibrillation, Percutaneous Left Atrial Appendage Closure Devices for Stroke Prevention in Atrial Fibrillation, Percutaneous Left Atrial Appendage Closure Devices for Stroke Prevention in Atrial Fibrillation.

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    Clinical & Coding Specifications

    Clinical Context

    A 52-year-old physically active patient with chronic medial knee pain and limited function despite conservative therapies (physical therapy, bracing, intra-articular injections) presents with persistent medial compartment overload and mild-to-moderate tibiofemoral joint degeneration. Imaging (weight-bearing radiographs and MRI) demonstrates focal medial compartment pathology without end-stage tricompartmental osteoarthritis, and the patient is evaluated for an extraarticular medial implantable shock absorber to unload the medial compartment. The clinical workflow includes preoperative assessment with history, physical exam, and imaging review; informed consent discussing risks and benefits; preoperative clearance and perioperative anesthesia evaluation; operative implantation of the medial knee extraarticular shock absorber spanning distal femur to proximal tibia with intraoperative measurements, positioning, adjustments, and fluoroscopic guidance; postoperative recovery and discharge instructions; and scheduled follow-up for wound check, device function assessment, physical therapy initiation, and radiographic monitoring.

    Related CPT Codes

    CPT CodeDescriptionRelationship to This Procedure
    27370Repair, primary, torn medial knee ligament, with or without internal fixationMay be performed concurrently if medial ligamentous injury requires repair during implantation.
    20690Application of external fixation system (separate procedure)May be used preoperatively or temporally in complex cases requiring staged stabilization prior to definitive implant placement.
    73560Radiologic examination, knee; 1 or 2 viewsCommon preoperative and postoperative radiographic imaging for device positioning and follow-up.
    73564Radiologic examination, knee; standing, 1 or 2 viewsWeight-bearing views are used preoperatively to assess alignment and medial compartment space.
    73562Radiologic examination, knee; 3 viewsAdditional radiographic views intra- or postoperatively to document device placement.
    20610Arthrocentesis, aspiration and/or injection; major joint or bursa (e.g., knee)May be performed preoperatively for symptomatic relief or diagnostic aspiration prior to device implantation.

    Related Modifiers

    9 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…
    23Modifier -23 (Unusual Anesthesia) is used on anesthesia service CPT codes when a procedure that normally requires no anesthesia or only local anesthesia must be performed under general anesthesia…- Use modifier -23 only on anesthesia CPT codes (00100–01999) when a procedure that normally requires no anesthesia or only local anesthesia must be performed under general anesthesia because of…
    51Modifier –51 (Multiple Procedures) is used when the same provider performs multiple procedures in the same session to identify secondary, non‑exempt procedures and indicate payment reduction logic…- Use modifier -51 when the same provider performs multiple distinct procedures during the same patient encounter: report the highest‑valued procedure first (no modifier) and append -51 to…
    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…
    54Modifier ‑54 (“Surgical care only”) is appended to a CPT surgical procedure when the reporting surgeon performs the intraoperative (surgical) component but does not furnish the preoperative and/or…- Use modifier -54 when the reporting surgeon provided only the intraoperative (surgical) component of a procedure and preoperative and/or postoperative management has been or will be provided by…
    55Modifier –55 indicates the billing provider furnished only postoperative management for a procedure that has a global surgical period. According to AAPC, this modifier is appended to the same CPT…- Use modifier -55 when billing the same CPT surgical code that has a 10- or 90-day global period and you, as a provider other than the original surgeon, furnished ONLY postoperative management (no…
    56Modifier ‑56 indicates the reporting provider furnished only the preoperative management for a surgical procedure and did not perform the intraoperative or postoperative care. It is used in…- Use Modifier -56 when a provider performs only the preoperative management in a split‑care situation (one physician manages preop care while a different physician performs the intraoperative…
    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…

    Related Provider Taxonomies

    8 rows

    Taxonomy Code
    2084P0800X
    208000000X
    208100000X
    207K00000X
    207QB0505X
    163WN1003X
    174MM1900X
    209800000X

    Related Payer Policy Updates

    Specialty: Cardiology1 / 3

    10 rows

    PolicyPayerEffective Date
    Percutaneous Left Atrial Appendage Closure Devices for Stroke Prevention in Atrial Fibrillationpremerabluecrossofwashington2027-02-05
    Percutaneous Left Atrial Appendage Closure Devices for Stroke Prevention in Atrial Fibrillationpremerabluecrossofwashington2027-02-05
    Percutaneous Left Atrial Appendage Closure Devices for Stroke Prevention in Atrial Fibrillationpremerabluecrossofwashington2027-02-05
    Percutaneous Left Atrial Appendage Closure - Medical PolicyHealth-New-England2027-02-01
    Transcatheter Mitral Valve Repair Medical PolicyHealth-New-England2027-02-01
    Cardiac Electrophysiological (EP) Studies and Cardiac Ablation of Abnormal Electrical RhythmsCigna2027-01-15
    Biomarkers for Myocardial Infarction and Chronic Heart Failure Reimbursement PolicyHealthfirst2026-11-01
    Percutaneous Left Atrial Appendage Closure Devices for Stroke Prevention in Atrial Fibrillationpremerabluecrossofwashington2026-11-01
    Percutaneous Left Atrial Appendage Closure Devices for Stroke Prevention in Atrial Fibrillationpremerabluecrossofwashington2026-11-01
    Cardiology - TryvioCigna2026-11-01

    Related Codes

    HCPCS-C1713-IMPLANTABLE-ANCHOR-SCREW-BONE-FIXATION

    HCPCS C1713: Anchor/Screw for Bone or Soft Tissue Fixation (Implantable)

    HCPCS-C1714-TRANSLUMINAL-DIRECTIONAL-ATHERECTOMY-CATHETER

    HCPCS C1714: Catheter, transluminal atherectomy, directional

    HCPCS-C1715-BRACHYTHERAPY-NEEDLE

    HCPCS C1715: Brachytherapy Needle

    HCPCS-C1716-BRACHYTHERAPY-GOLD-198-SOURCE

    HCPCS C1716: Brachytherapy Source, Gold-198, Per Source

    HCPCS-C1717-HDR-BRACHYTHERAPY-IRIDIUM-192-SOURCE

    HCPCS C1717: HDR Iridium-192 Brachytherapy Source, Per Source

    HCPCS-C1719-BRACHYTHERAPY-IRIDIUM-192-SOURCE-NON-STRANDED

    HCPCS C1719: Brachytherapy Source, Iridium-192, Non-Stranded

    HCPCS-C1721-IMPLANTABLE-DUAL-CHAMBER-CARDIOVERTER-DEFIBRILLATOR

    HCPCS C1721: Cardioverter-Defibrillator, Dual Chamber (Implantable)

    HCPCS-C1724-ROTATIONAL-TRANSLUMINAL-ATHERECTOMY-CATHETER

    HCPCS Level II C1724: Rotational Transluminal Atherectomy Catheter

    HCPCS-C1725-TRANSLUMINAL-ANGIOPLASTY-CATHETER-NON-LASER

    HCPCS Level II C1725: Transluminal Angioplasty Catheter, Non-Laser

    HCPCS-C1726-NON-VASCULAR-BALLOON-DILATATION-CATHETER

    HCPCS C1726: Catheter, Balloon Dilatation, Non-Vascular

    Showing 1–10 of 603

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    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.
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