Some CPT codes use "includes" or "including" as part of the code description. For example, 29891 , Arthroscopy, ankle, surgical, excision of osteochondral defect of talus and/or tibia, including drilling of the defect and code 23420 , Reconstruction of complete shoulder cuff avulsion, (includes acromioplasty). Does the "includes" or "including" portion of the code descriptor have to be performed since this is not followed by "when or if performed" to support reporting the code? ...
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Article Overview
This short coding guidance article focuses on CPT descriptor language that uses inclusion phrasing and addresses a common question about how that wording relates to reporting. It is intended for medical coders, auditors, and billing professionals who work with CPT terminology and need to understand the scope of code descriptors at a general level.
Why This Topic Matters
Understanding descriptor phrasing helps coders and auditors read CPT language consistently and avoid misinterpretation when reviewing procedure documentation and code selection.
What You Will Learn
- How CPT descriptor language can be written using inclusion phrasing
- The general issue raised by inclusion wording in procedure descriptors
- Why understanding descriptor structure matters for coding review and audit workflows
- How this topic fits within CPT-based procedural coding guidance
Who Should Read This
- Medical coders
- Coding auditors
- Billing staff
- Compliance professionals
- Revenue cycle professionals
Codes Discussed
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