Revision of total elbow arthroplasty with replacement of both the humeral and ulnar components, including allograft when utilized.

Documentation requirements

What must appear in the operative or office note to support the claim.

Source · Editorial brief grounded in 6 cited references ↓

• Specify that BOTH humeral and ulnar components were revised — single-component revision maps to 24370, not 24371.
• Describe the reason for revision: aseptic loosening, periprosthetic fracture, instability, infection, component failure, or wear.
• Document implant details: manufacturer, component type, size, and lot number for each component removed and inserted.
• State whether allograft was used and describe graft type, source, and application if applicable.
• Record laterality explicitly (right or left elbow) in the operative note header and the procedure description.
• Document preoperative imaging findings (X-ray, CT if obtained) confirming component failure or malposition that necessitated revision.
• Note approach used (e.g., posterior, triceps-reflecting, triceps-sparing) — audit teams flag operative notes that omit surgical approach.
• Include intraoperative findings distinguishing this as a two-component revision, not a single-component exchange.

Applicable modifiers

Modifiers commonly billed with this code.

Source · AMA CPT modifier descriptors · CMS NCCI Policy Manual

What this code covers

Source · Editorial summary grounded in 6 cited references ↓

RVU & reimbursement

Component RVUs and Medicare national rate. Actual payment varies by GPCI locality.

Source · CMS Physician Fee Schedule, RVU26A · January 2026

Payment by site of service

Medicare pays different rates by setting. HOPD typically pays substantially more than ASC for the same procedure.

Source · CMS OPPS Addendum B·ASC HCPCS payment rates·2026

Common denial reasons

The recurring reasons claims for CPT 24371 get rejected.

Source · Editorial brief grounded in CMS NCCI edits, AAOS coding appeals, and cited references ↓

• Billed as 24371 when only one component was revised — payer downcodes to 24370 without supporting documentation of bilateral component exchange.
• Missing or ambiguous laterality — claim submitted without LT or RT modifier triggers edit rejection at many MACs.
• E/M visit billed in the 90-day global period without modifier 24, causing automatic bundling denial.
• Medical necessity not established — operative note lacks documented failure mode (loosening, fracture, infection) tied to an ICD-10 diagnosis code.
• Allograft coded separately when it is included in 24371 by definition, resulting in unbundling denial.
• Modifier 78 and 79 confused on return-to-OR claims — wrong modifier applied to related vs. unrelated complications triggers clinical review.