CPT Knowledgebase - Nov 3, 2023

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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