Revise/replace knee joint

What is CPT Code 27486?

Revision of total knee replacement — removing and replacing a failed or worn total knee implant. More complex than the primary procedure, longer surgery time, and higher costs due to revision-specific components.

The Medicare reimbursement rate shown above is the amount the federal government has determined is a reasonable payment for this service. Hospitals and providers that participate in Medicare have agreed to accept these rates from Medicare patients.

Who typically bills this:Orthopedic surgeon + hospital facility

Common Billing Errors for CPT 27486

• !Billed at the same rate as the primary 27447 procedure without proper revision code justification
• !Explant (removal) and implant (insertion) components billed as separate codes that are bundled into 27486
• !Additional hardware or augments billed as separate implant charges without itemization

Red Flags on Your Bill

Negotiation Tips for CPT 27486

1. 1Revision surgeries are complex — request a full itemized bill with implant details before paying
2. 2Specialized revision implant components should be itemized at cost, not chargemaster markup
3. 3Get a second opinion on whether revision was necessary — revision surgery is a significant undertaking

Codes That Often Appear With This One

These CPT codes commonly appear on the same bill. Review each one to spot potential bundling errors or duplicate charges.

Found CPT 27486 on Your Bill?

If you see CPT code 27486 on a hospital or medical bill, compare the charged amount to the Medicare rate above. If your bill shows a significantly higher charge, you may have grounds to negotiate.

1. Note the amount charged for CPT 27486 on your itemized bill
2. Compare it to the Medicare rate above — calculate the markup
3. Call the billing department and use the Medicare rate as your anchor:“I see CPT code 27486 billed at [amount]. The Medicare rate for this procedure is $1,410.31. I'd like to discuss a fair adjustment.”