CurrentBlue KCPolicy POL-PP-232

Robotic and Computer Assisted Surgery

Defines Blue KC's reimbursement stance for robotic and computer-assisted surgical procedures and who is impacted (professional, facility, ambulatory surgery) across specified commercial lines of business.

Policy Summary

PayerBlue KC

PolicyRobotic and Computer Assisted Surgery

Policy CodePolicy POL-PP-232

Change TypeMaterial updates to bundling and code status (added/revised/clarified)

Effective DateMar 1, 2022

Next Review DateMar 1, 2027

Key ActionDo not bill S2900, 0054T, 0055T, or 20985 separately — these codes are components of the primary procedure and will not receive additional reimbursement.

SourceLink

POLICY UPDATE CHANGES

Starting 7/1/2025, Blue KC will consider computer assist codes (0054T, 0055T, 20985) a component of the primary procedure with no additional reimbursement.

Robotic assist code S2900 is considered a component of the primary procedure and is not separately reimbursed.

Computer assist codes 0054T, 0055T, and 20985 were added to the policy as non-covered (bundled) in a 3/26/2025 update.

S2900, 0054T, 0055T, 20985Specific codes addressed

7/1/2025Bundling effective

Commercial, Medicare Advantage, ACA QHP, Small Group, JAA, FEPLines of business impacted

POL-PP-232Policy ID

Coverage Rules

Coverage rules

Stance on separate reimbursement for robotic/computer-assist services:

Robotic assist code S2900 is considered a component of the primary surgical procedure and will not be reimbursed separately.

Computer assist codes 0054T, 0055T, and 20985 are considered components of the primary procedure and will not be reimbursed separately.

Effective 7/1/2025 these computer-assist codes are treated as bundled into the primary procedure.

Use of an unlisted code to indicate a robotically assisted procedure is incorrect billing and will be denied.

Reimbursement will be based on the standard code for the procedure (e.g., laparoscopic prostatectomy, stereotactic radiosurgery).

Policy Summary

PayerBlue KC

PolicyRobotic and Computer Assisted Surgery

Policy CodePolicy POL-PP-232

Change TypeMaterial updates to bundling and code status (added/revised/clarified)

Effective DateMar 1, 2022

Next Review DateMar 1, 2027

Key ActionDo not bill S2900, 0054T, 0055T, or 20985 separately — these codes are components of the primary procedure and will not receive additional reimbursement.

SourceLink

On This Page

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.

Robotic and Computer-Assist Codes

Robotic and computer-assist codesCPTNot Covered

S2900	Surgical techniques requiring use of robotic surgical system (list separately in addition to code for primary procedure).
0054T	Computer-assisted musculoskeletal surgical navigational orthopedic procedure, image-guidance based on fluoroscopic images.
0055T	Computer-assisted musculoskeletal surgical navigational orthopedic procedure, image-guidance based on CT/MRI images.
20985	Computer-assisted surgical navigational procedure for musculoskeletal procedures, image-less.

Robotic and computer-assist codes - policy statusmixed

S2900	Considered a component of the primary procedure; no additional reimbursement will be made.
0054T	Considered a component of the primary procedure; no additional reimbursement will be made effective 7/1/2025.
0055T	Considered a component of the primary procedure; no additional reimbursement will be made effective 7/1/2025.
20985	Considered a component of the primary procedure; no additional reimbursement will be made effective 7/1/2025.

Billing & Provider Impact

Billing Rule

Bundling and reimbursement rule — provider billing instruction

Blue KC considers robotic assist and computer-assist procedure codes to be components of the primary surgical procedure and not separately reimbursed. Do not bill S2900, 0054T, 0055T, or 20985 separately in addition to the primary procedure; these codes are bundled into the primary procedure's payment. Using an unlisted code to indicate a robotically assisted procedure is incorrect billing and will be denied.

Affected codes: S2900 (robotic assist)
Effective 7/1/2025: 0054T, 0055T, 20985 (computer-assist)
Action: Do not bill these codes separately; they are components of the primary procedure
Denial risk: Claims submitted with these codes as separately payable or with an unlisted code to indicate robotic assistance may be denied

Definitions

Robotic and computer-assisted surgery

DefinitionRobotics and computer-assisted surgery (CAS): using robotic systems and computer technology to enhance surgical precision, dexterity, and visualization for minimally invasive procedures.

Coverage stanceRobotic assist code S2900 and computer-assist codes 0054T, 0055T, 20985 are considered components of the primary surgical procedure and are not reimbursed separately.

Effective date for bundling computer-assist codesComputer-assist codes 0054T, 0055T, and 20985 will be treated as bundled into the primary procedure effective 7/1/2025.

Coding examplesS2900: 'Surgical techniques requiring use of robotic surgical system (list separately in addition to code for primary procedure)'; 0054T/0055T/20985: computer-assisted musculoskeletal surgical navigational procedures (image-guidance CT/MRI/fluoroscopic or image-less).

Billing noteUse of an unlisted code to indicate a robotically assisted procedure is incorrect billing and will be denied; reimbursement is based on the standard code for the primary procedure.