Computer assisted surgery is an emerging technology designed to enhance traditional orthopaedic surgery, such as total hip and knee arthroplasty and certain trauma procedures. As with most emerging technologies, there may be healthcare insurance coverage and reimbursement challenges that need to be addressed.

Medicare and commercial payers rely on CPT (Current Procedural Terminology) codes to administer the management of claim processing for specific surgical and medical procedures and services. These codes are developed and maintained by the AMA with input from a number of physician specialty groups. Most traditional orthopaedic surgical procedures have established specific CPT Category I codes (also known as CPT I codes). Because of ongoing medical advances, some procedures have not yet been designated with a permanent CPT I code. To address some of the problems associated with reporting new technology, the AMA has provided a new section of “add on” codes known as CPT Category III codes (or more simply, CPT III Codes). As such, the appropriate CAS^◊ Orthopaedic CPT III code, in addition to the primary procedural CPT I code, should be used to report an orthopaedic computer assisted surgery procedure.