2025 CPT code 20900

Bone graft, any donor area; minor or small (e.g., dowel or button)

Refer to CPT guidelines for surgery and the musculoskeletal system for detailed coding instructions. Note specific guidelines for bone graft procedures, including those related to separate incisions and modifier usage.

Modifiers may be applicable. Modifier 54 may be used if the provider performing the initial treatment does not perform subsequent treatment. Modifiers 22, 51, 52, 53, 58, 59, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, and 99 may also apply when appropriate.

Medical necessity for bone grafting should be established by documenting the presence of a bone defect, non-union fracture, or other condition requiring bone grafting for healing or structural support.

The physician prepares the patient and administers anesthesia. An incision is made over the donor site, extending through the skin, fascia, and muscle. A retractor is used to expose the bone. A bone shaver extracts a small piece of bone, shaped like a dowel or button. The incision is closed with sutures.

In simple words: This procedure involves taking a small piece of bone from one part of your body to use in repairing a bone defect in another part. The piece of bone taken is relatively small, like a dowel or button.

Harvesting of a small piece of bone, such as a dowel or button, from any donor area for grafting purposes.

Example 1: A patient with a small bone defect in the wrist requires a bone graft to promote healing., A patient undergoing spinal fusion requires small bone grafts to be placed between the vertebrae., A patient with a non-union fracture requires a bone graft to stimulate bone growth and healing.

Documentation should include the donor site location, the size and type of bone graft harvested, and the recipient site. Operative notes should detail the procedure, including anesthesia used and closure technique.

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