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CMS-1403-FC
● 27218, Open treatment of posterior pelvic bone
fracture and/or dislocation, for fracture patterns which
disrupt the pelvic ring, unilateral, includes internal
fixation, when performed (includes ipsilateral ilium,
sacroiliac joint and/or sacrum.
The AMA RUC reviewed these codes and agreed with the
specialty society that revisions to the code descriptors
were editorial because these services were previously valued
as typically unilateral with internal fixation. The AMA RUC
recommended maintaining the current work RVUs for these
codes: 10.45 work RVUs for CPT code 27215; 15.73 work RVUs
for CPT code 27216; 14.65 work RVUs for CPT code 27217; and
20.93 work RVUs for CPT code 27218.
We do not agree with CPT and the AMA RUC that the
pelvis is a unilateral structure and that the code
descriptor change was editorial. The pelvis is formed by
adjoining the ilium, ischium, pubis, and sacrum together.
Clinically, it is a single anatomic entity and has been
referenced as a single anatomic entity. We believe the
previous code descriptors more accurately describe the
structure of the pelvis and subsequent treatment of
fractures. Therefore, we created four G codes to be used
with pelvic bone fracture repairs that may occur on one side
or both sides of the pelvis consistent with CY 2008
909