2025 CPT code 27470

Repair of nonunion or malunion of the femur, distal to the head and neck, without the use of a bone graft.

The application and removal of the first cast, splint, or traction device are included in the procedure.Separate coding for obtaining autografts is required only if not included in the basic procedure.

Modifiers such as 22 (Increased Procedural Services), 50 (Bilateral Procedure), 54 (Surgical Care Only), 76 (Repeat Procedure by Same Physician), and others may be applicable depending on the specific circumstances.

Medical necessity must be established by demonstrating the functional impairment caused by the nonunion or malunion, such as pain, instability, or deformity, and the expected improvement with surgical intervention.

The physician performs the surgical procedure, including incision, dissection, removal of previous implants (if present), bone manipulation and alignment, fixation, hemostasis, and wound closure.

IMPORTANT 27472 (with bone graft)

In simple words: This procedure repairs a broken thigh bone that hasn't healed correctly or has healed in the wrong position, below the hip joint.It involves surgery to realign the bone and fix it in place using plates, screws, or rods, but doesn't require a bone graft.

Open treatment of a nonunion or malunion of the femur, excluding the femoral head and neck, achieved through surgical exposure, manipulation, and fixation without the use of a bone graft.Fixation may involve compression techniques, intramedullary nailing, or other methods.

Example 1: A patient with a nonunion of the femoral shaft following a previous fracture undergoes open reduction and internal fixation using a compression plate., A patient with a malunion of the distal femur resulting in an angular deformity undergoes corrective osteotomy and fixation with an intramedullary nail., A patient with a painful nonunion of a supracondylar femur fracture undergoes revision surgery with fixation using a locking plate.

Documentation should include the operative report detailing the procedure, including the type of fracture, method of fixation, and any complications. Preoperative imaging studies and medical necessity justification should also be documented.

** This code does not include the use of a bone graft. If a graft is used, code 27472 should be reported.

  • Revenue Code: P3D
  • Global Days : 90
  • Payment Status: Active
  • Specialties:Orthopedic Surgery
  • Place of Service:Inpatient Hospital, Ambulatory Surgical Center
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