23935 incision dp opn bone crtx humerus/elbow
Also known as: cortical bone drainage, bone cortex drainage, humeral osteomyelitis drainage
Incision and drainage, with opening of cortex of humerus and/or elbow. Deep cortical drainage addressing bone involvement in upper arm infection.
In Plain Language
surgical drainage involving bone; bone infection drainage
Clinical Context
Performed for humeral or elbow osteomyelitis, cortical abscess, or when infection involves bone; requires cortical opening for adequate drainage and debridement.
RVU Breakdown
| Work RVU | 6.22 |
| Total RVU | 6.22 |
Est. Medicare Payment
National estimate based on 2026 CMS PFS Conversion Factor ($33.40). Actual payment varies by locality (GPCI adjustment).
Billing & Documentation
As a surgical CPT code, proper documentation must include the operative report detailing the procedure performed, patient positioning, approach, findings, and any complications. This code has a 90-day global period, which includes the day of the procedure, 1 day preoperative, and 90 days of postoperative care. Ensure the diagnosis code (ICD-10) supports medical necessity for the procedure.
How This Code Compares
With a work RVU of 6.22, this code ranks in the 41st percentile among Surgery codes — 1.3x below the median (8.00). The highest wRVU in this category is 106.19.
Specialties
Frequently Asked Questions
What is CPT code 23935?
CPT 23935 (incision dp opn bone crtx humerus/elbow) is a Surgery code. Incision and drainage, with opening of cortex of humerus and/or elbow. Deep cortical drainage addressing bone involvement in upper arm infection.
What is the wRVU value for CPT 23935?
The work RVU for CPT 23935 is 6.22. This code is primarily used by Orthopedic Surgery, Infectious Disease. It has a 90-day global period.
When is CPT 23935 used?
Performed for humeral or elbow osteomyelitis, cortical abscess, or when infection involves bone; requires cortical opening for adequate drainage and debridement.
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CPT® is a registered trademark of the American Medical Association. Data sourced from CMS Physician Fee Schedule RVU26A. Descriptions, synonyms, and clinical context are original content by RVU Edge.