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The CPT® Code 20700 refers to the manual preparation and insertion of drug-delivery device(s) into deep tissue, specifically in subfascial locations. This procedure is performed by a physician who crafts the drug delivery devices to address the unique therapeutic needs of the patient. These devices are typically utilized in conjunction with other surgical procedures, such as debridement or arthrotomy, to enhance healing in cases of deep infections that may arise from trauma or to deliver specific treatments directly to the affected area. The process begins with the surgeon preparing the site for implantation by cleaning out any infected tissue and irrigating the area to ensure a sterile environment. Following this, the surgeon fabricates the drug delivery device using a combination of cement powder and antibiotic powder, which is mixed with a liquid monomer under vacuum conditions. This mixture is then shaped into the desired form, such as tubes or beads, which are subsequently placed into the prepared subfascial space. The insertion of these devices is critical for targeted therapy, as they can provide localized treatment and support the healing process in challenging cases. The procedure is reported separately in addition to the primary surgical procedure performed, highlighting its significance in the overall treatment plan.
© Copyright 2025 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.
The procedure associated with CPT® Code 20700 is indicated for specific clinical scenarios where localized drug delivery is necessary. The following conditions may warrant the use of this procedure:
The procedure for CPT® Code 20700 involves several detailed steps to ensure the effective preparation and insertion of the drug delivery device:
After the insertion of the drug delivery device, post-procedure care is essential to monitor the patient's recovery and the effectiveness of the treatment. The patient may require follow-up imaging, such as X-rays, to confirm the proper placement of the device and to ensure that all implanted materials remain intact. Additionally, the physician will monitor for any signs of infection or complications at the surgical site. If the device needs to be removed, this will involve a marginal dissection to expose the device, followed by confirmation via imaging that all materials have been successfully extracted. Proper documentation of the procedure and any follow-up care is crucial for ongoing patient management and to support any necessary coding and billing processes.
| Short Descr | MNL PREP&INSJ DP RX DLVR DEV | Medium Descr | MANUAL PREP AND INSERTION DEEP DRUG DELIVERY DEV | Long Descr | Manual preparation and insertion of drug-delivery device(s), deep (eg, subfascial) (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure) | Status Code | Active Code | Global Days | ZZZ - Code Related to Another Service | PC/TC Indicator (26, TC) | 0 - Physician Service Code | Multiple Procedures (51) | 0 - No payment adjustment rules for multiple procedures apply. | Bilateral Surgery (50) | 0 - 150% payment adjustment for bilateral procedures does NOT apply. | Physician Supervisions | 09 - Concept does not apply. | Assistant Surgeon (80, 82) | 0 - Payment restriction for assistants at surgery applies to this procedure... | Co-Surgeons (62) | 0 - Co-surgeons not permitted for this procedure. | Team Surgery (66) | 0 - Team surgeons not permitted for this procedure. | Diagnostic Imaging Family | 99 - Concept Does Not Apply | APC Status Indicator | Items and Services Packaged into APC Rates | ASC Payment Indicator | Packaged service/item; no separate payment made. | Type of Service (TOS) | 2 - Surgery | Berenson-Eggers TOS (BETOS) | none | MUE | 1 |
This is an add-on code that must be used in conjunction with one of these primary codes.
| 11010 | MPFS Status: Active Code APC T ASC A2 CPT Assistant Article Illustration for Code Debridement including removal of foreign material at the site of an open fracture and/or an open dislocation (eg, excisional debridement); skin and subcutaneous tissues | 11011 | MPFS Status: Active Code APC T ASC A2 Illustration for Code Debridement including removal of foreign material at the site of an open fracture and/or an open dislocation (eg, excisional debridement); skin, subcutaneous tissue, muscle fascia, and muscle | 11012 | MPFS Status: Active Code APC J1 ASC A2 CPT Assistant Article Illustration for Code Debridement including removal of foreign material at the site of an open fracture and/or an open dislocation (eg, excisional debridement); skin, subcutaneous tissue, muscle fascia, muscle, and bone | 11043 | MPFS Status: Active Code APC T ASC A2 Physician Quality Reporting CPT Assistant Article Illustration for Code Debridement, muscle and/or fascia (includes epidermis, dermis, and subcutaneous tissue, if performed); first 20 sq cm or less | 11044 | MPFS Status: Active Code APC J1 ASC A2 Physician Quality Reporting CPT Assistant Article Illustration for Code Debridement, bone (includes epidermis, dermis, subcutaneous tissue, muscle and/or fascia, if performed); first 20 sq cm or less | 11046 | Addon Code Resequenced Code MPFS Status: Active Code APC N ASC N1 Debridement, muscle and/or fascia (includes epidermis, dermis, and subcutaneous tissue, if performed); each additional 20 sq cm, or part thereof (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure) | 11047 | Addon Code MPFS Status: Active Code APC N ASC N1 Debridement, bone (includes epidermis, dermis, subcutaneous tissue, muscle and/or fascia, if performed); each additional 20 sq cm, or part thereof (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure) | 20240 | MPFS Status: Active Code APC J1 ASC A2 PUB 100 CPT Assistant Article Illustration for Code Biopsy, bone, open; superficial (eg, sternum, spinous process, rib, patella, olecranon process, calcaneus, tarsal, metatarsal, carpal, metacarpal, phalanx) | 20245 | MPFS Status: Active Code APC J1 ASC A2 PUB 100 CPT Assistant Article Illustration for Code Biopsy, bone, open; deep (eg, humeral shaft, ischium, femoral shaft) | 20250 | MPFS Status: Active Code APC J1 ASC G2 PUB 100 CPT Assistant Article Illustration for Code Biopsy, vertebral body, open; thoracic | 20251 | MPFS Status: Active Code APC J1 ASC A2 PUB 100 CPT Assistant Article Illustration for Code Biopsy, vertebral body, open; lumbar or cervical | 21010 | MPFS Status: Active Code APC J1 ASC A2 Arthrotomy, temporomandibular joint | 21025 | MPFS Status: Active Code APC J1 ASC A2 Illustration for Code Excision of bone (eg, for osteomyelitis or bone abscess); mandible | 21026 | MPFS Status: Active Code APC J1 ASC A2 Illustration for Code Excision of bone (eg, for osteomyelitis or bone abscess); facial bone(s) | 21501 | Changed Code for 2025 MPFS Status: Active Code APC J1 ASC A2 Illustration for Code Incision and drainage, deep abscess or hematoma, soft tissues of neck or thorax; | 21502 | MPFS Status: Active Code APC J1 ASC A2 Illustration for Code Incision and drainage, deep abscess or hematoma, soft tissues of neck or thorax; with partial rib ostectomy | 21510 | MPFS Status: Active Code APC C Incision, deep, with opening of bone cortex (eg, for osteomyelitis or bone abscess), thorax | 21627 | MPFS Status: Active Code APC C Physician Quality Reporting Illustration for Code Sternal debridement | 21630 | Changed Code for 2025 MPFS Status: Active Code APC C CPT Assistant Article Illustration for Code Radical resection of sternum | 22010 | MPFS Status: Active Code APC C Illustration for Code Incision and drainage, open, of deep abscess (subfascial), posterior spine; cervical, thoracic, or cervicothoracic | 22015 | MPFS Status: Active Code APC C Illustration for Code Incision and drainage, open, of deep abscess (subfascial), posterior spine; lumbar, sacral, or lumbosacral | 23030 | MPFS Status: Active Code APC J1 ASC A2 Incision and drainage, shoulder area; deep abscess or hematoma | 23031 | MPFS Status: Active Code APC J1 ASC A2 Incision and drainage, shoulder area; infected bursa | 23035 | MPFS Status: Active Code APC J1 ASC A2 CPT Assistant Article Illustration for Code Incision, bone cortex (eg, osteomyelitis or bone abscess), shoulder area | 23040 | MPFS Status: Active Code APC J1 ASC A2 CPT Assistant Article Arthrotomy, glenohumeral joint, including exploration, drainage, or removal of foreign body | 23044 | MPFS Status: Active Code APC J1 ASC A2 CPT Assistant Article Arthrotomy, acromioclavicular, sternoclavicular joint, including exploration, drainage, or removal of foreign body | 23170 | MPFS Status: Active Code APC J1 ASC J8 Sequestrectomy (eg, for osteomyelitis or bone abscess), clavicle | 23172 | MPFS Status: Active Code APC J1 ASC A2 Sequestrectomy (eg, for osteomyelitis or bone abscess), scapula | 23174 | MPFS Status: Active Code APC J1 ASC A2 Sequestrectomy (eg, for osteomyelitis or bone abscess), humeral head to surgical neck | 23180 | MPFS Status: Active Code APC J1 ASC A2 CPT Assistant Article Illustration for Code Partial excision (craterization, saucerization, or diaphysectomy) bone (eg, osteomyelitis), clavicle | 23182 | MPFS Status: Active Code APC J1 ASC A2 Illustration for Code Partial excision (craterization, saucerization, or diaphysectomy) bone (eg, osteomyelitis), scapula | 23184 | MPFS Status: Active Code APC J1 ASC A2 CPT Assistant Article Illustration for Code Partial excision (craterization, saucerization, or diaphysectomy) bone (eg, osteomyelitis), proximal humerus | 23334 | MPFS Status: Active Code APC J1 ASC G2 Removal of prosthesis, includes debridement and synovectomy when performed; humeral or glenoid component | 23335 | MPFS Status: Active Code APC C Removal of prosthesis, includes debridement and synovectomy when performed; humeral and glenoid components (eg, total shoulder) | 23930 | MPFS Status: Active Code APC J1 ASC A2 Illustration for Code Incision and drainage, upper arm or elbow area; deep abscess or hematoma | 23931 | MPFS Status: Active Code APC J1 ASC A2 CPT Assistant Article Illustration for Code Incision and drainage, upper arm or elbow area; bursa | 23935 | MPFS Status: Active Code APC J1 ASC A2 Illustration for Code Incision, deep, with opening of bone cortex (eg, for osteomyelitis or bone abscess), humerus or elbow | 24000 | MPFS Status: Active Code APC J1 ASC A2 CPT Assistant Article Illustration for Code Arthrotomy, elbow, including exploration, drainage, or removal of foreign body | 24134 | MPFS Status: Active Code APC J1 ASC A2 Illustration for Code Sequestrectomy (eg, for osteomyelitis or bone abscess), shaft or distal humerus | 24136 | MPFS Status: Active Code APC J1 ASC A2 Illustration for Code Sequestrectomy (eg, for osteomyelitis or bone abscess), radial head or neck | 24138 | MPFS Status: Active Code APC J1 ASC A2 Illustration for Code Sequestrectomy (eg, for osteomyelitis or bone abscess), olecranon process | 24140 | MPFS Status: Active Code APC J1 ASC A2 CPT Assistant Article Illustration for Code Partial excision (craterization, saucerization, or diaphysectomy) bone (eg, osteomyelitis), humerus | 24147 | MPFS Status: Active Code APC J1 ASC A2 CPT Assistant Article Illustration for Code Partial excision (craterization, saucerization, or diaphysectomy) bone (eg, osteomyelitis), olecranon process | 24160 | MPFS Status: Active Code APC Q2 ASC A2 Illustration for Code Removal of prosthesis, includes debridement and synovectomy when performed; humeral and ulnar components | 25031 | MPFS Status: Active Code APC J1 ASC A2 CPT Assistant Article Incision and drainage, forearm and/or wrist; bursa | 25035 | MPFS Status: Active Code APC J1 ASC A2 CPT Assistant Article Illustration for Code Incision, deep, bone cortex, forearm and/or wrist (eg, osteomyelitis or bone abscess) | 25040 | MPFS Status: Active Code APC J1 ASC A2 CPT Assistant Article Illustration for Code Arthrotomy, radiocarpal or midcarpal joint, with exploration, drainage, or removal of foreign body | 25145 | MPFS Status: Active Code APC J1 ASC A2 Sequestrectomy (eg, for osteomyelitis or bone abscess), forearm and/or wrist | 25150 | MPFS Status: Active Code APC J1 ASC A2 Illustration for Code Partial excision (craterization, saucerization, or diaphysectomy) of bone (eg, for osteomyelitis); ulna | 25151 | MPFS Status: Active Code APC J1 ASC A2 Illustration for Code Partial excision (craterization, saucerization, or diaphysectomy) of bone (eg, for osteomyelitis); radius | 26070 | MPFS Status: Active Code APC J1 ASC A2 CPT Assistant Article Illustration for Code Arthrotomy, with exploration, drainage, or removal of loose or foreign body; carpometacarpal joint | 26230 | MPFS Status: Active Code APC J1 ASC A2 CPT Assistant Article Partial excision (craterization, saucerization, or diaphysectomy) bone (eg, osteomyelitis); metacarpal | 26235 | MPFS Status: Active Code APC J1 ASC A2 Partial excision (craterization, saucerization, or diaphysectomy) bone (eg, osteomyelitis); proximal or middle phalanx of finger | 26236 | MPFS Status: Active Code APC J1 ASC A2 Partial excision (craterization, saucerization, or diaphysectomy) bone (eg, osteomyelitis); distal phalanx of finger | 26990 | MPFS Status: Active Code APC J1 ASC A2 Illustration for Code Incision and drainage, pelvis or hip joint area; deep abscess or hematoma | 26991 | MPFS Status: Active Code APC J1 ASC A2 Illustration for Code Incision and drainage, pelvis or hip joint area; infected bursa | 26992 | MPFS Status: Active Code APC C CPT Assistant Article Illustration for Code Incision, bone cortex, pelvis and/or hip joint (eg, osteomyelitis or bone abscess) | 27030 | MPFS Status: Active Code APC C CPT Assistant Article Illustration for Code Arthrotomy, hip, with drainage (eg, infection) | 27070 | MPFS Status: Active Code APC C CPT Assistant Article Illustration for Code Partial excision, wing of ilium, symphysis pubis, or greater trochanter of femur, (craterization, saucerization) (eg, osteomyelitis or bone abscess); superficial | 27071 | MPFS Status: Active Code APC C Illustration for Code Partial excision, wing of ilium, symphysis pubis, or greater trochanter of femur, (craterization, saucerization) (eg, osteomyelitis or bone abscess); deep (subfascial or intramuscular) | 27090 | MPFS Status: Active Code APC C Illustration for Code Removal of hip prosthesis; (separate procedure) | 27301 | MPFS Status: Active Code APC J1 ASC A2 CPT Assistant Article Illustration for Code Incision and drainage, deep abscess, bursa, or hematoma, thigh or knee region | 27303 | MPFS Status: Active Code APC C CPT Assistant Article Illustration for Code Incision, deep, with opening of bone cortex, femur or knee (eg, osteomyelitis or bone abscess) | 27310 | MPFS Status: Active Code APC J1 ASC A2 CPT Assistant Article Illustration for Code Arthrotomy, knee, with exploration, drainage, or removal of foreign body (eg, infection) | 27360 | MPFS Status: Active Code APC J1 ASC A2 CPT Assistant Article Illustration for Code Partial excision (craterization, saucerization, or diaphysectomy) bone, femur, proximal tibia and/or fibula (eg, osteomyelitis or bone abscess) | 27603 | MPFS Status: Active Code APC J1 ASC A2 Illustration for Code Incision and drainage, leg or ankle; deep abscess or hematoma | 27604 | MPFS Status: Active Code APC J1 ASC A2 Illustration for Code Incision and drainage, leg or ankle; infected bursa | 27610 | MPFS Status: Active Code APC J1 ASC A2 CPT Assistant Article Illustration for Code Arthrotomy, ankle, including exploration, drainage, or removal of foreign body | 27640 | MPFS Status: Active Code APC J1 ASC A2 CPT Assistant Article Illustration for Code Partial excision (craterization, saucerization, or diaphysectomy), bone (eg, osteomyelitis); tibia | 27641 | MPFS Status: Active Code APC J1 ASC A2 Illustration for Code Partial excision (craterization, saucerization, or diaphysectomy), bone (eg, osteomyelitis); fibula | 28001 | MPFS Status: Active Code APC J1 ASC P3 CPT Assistant Article Illustration for Code Incision and drainage, bursa, foot | 28002 | MPFS Status: Active Code APC J1 ASC A2 CPT Assistant Article Illustration for Code Incision and drainage below fascia, with or without tendon sheath involvement, foot; single bursal space | 28003 | MPFS Status: Active Code APC J1 ASC A2 Illustration for Code Incision and drainage below fascia, with or without tendon sheath involvement, foot; multiple areas | 28020 | MPFS Status: Active Code APC J1 ASC A2 CPT Assistant Article Arthrotomy, including exploration, drainage, or removal of loose or foreign body; intertarsal or tarsometatarsal joint | 28120 | MPFS Status: Active Code APC J1 ASC A2 CPT Assistant Article Partial excision (craterization, saucerization, sequestrectomy, or diaphysectomy) bone (eg, osteomyelitis or bossing); talus or calcaneus | 28122 | MPFS Status: Active Code APC J1 ASC A2 CPT Assistant Article Partial excision (craterization, saucerization, sequestrectomy, or diaphysectomy) bone (eg, osteomyelitis or bossing); tarsal or metatarsal bone, except talus or calcaneus |
| AS | Physician assistant, nurse practitioner, or clinical nurse specialist services for assistant at surgery | LT | Left side (used to identify procedures performed on the left side of the body) | 59 | Distinct procedural service: under certain circumstances, it may be necessary to indicate that a procedure or service was distinct or independent from other non-e/m services performed on the same day. modifier 59 is used to identify procedures/services, other than e/m services, that are not normally reported together, but are appropriate under the circumstances. documentation must support a different session, different procedure or surgery, different site or organ system, separate incision/excision, separate lesion, or separate injury (or area of injury in extensive injuries) not ordinarily encountered or performed on the same day by the same individual. however, when another already established modifier is appropriate it should be used rather than modifier 59. only if no more descriptive modifier is available, and the use of modifier 59 best explains the circumstances, should modifier 59 be used. note: modifier 59 should not be appended to an e/m service. to report a separate and distinct e/m service with a non-e/m service performed on the same date, see modifier 25. | XU | Unusual non-overlapping service, the use of a service that is distinct because it does not overlap usual components of the main service | RT | Right side (used to identify procedures performed on the right side of the body) | GC | This service has been performed in part by a resident under the direction of a teaching physician | 58 | Staged or related procedure or service by the same physician or other qualified health care professional during the postoperative period: it may be necessary to indicate that the performance of a procedure or service during the postoperative period was: (a) planned or anticipated (staged); (b) more extensive than the original procedure; or (c) for therapy following a surgical procedure. this circumstance may be reported by adding modifier 58 to the staged or related procedure. note: for treatment of a problem that requires a return to the operating/procedure room (eg, unanticipated clinical condition), see modifier 78. | XS | Separate structure, a service that is distinct because it was performed on a separate organ/structure | 22 | Increased procedural services: when the work required to provide a service is substantially greater than typically required, it may be identified by adding modifier 22 to the usual procedure code. documentation must support the substantial additional work and the reason for the additional work (ie, increased intensity, time, technical difficulty of procedure, severity of patient's condition, physical and mental effort required). note: this modifier should not be appended to an e/m service. | 51 | Multiple procedures: when multiple procedures, other than e/m services, physical medicine and rehabilitation services or provision of supplies (eg, vaccines), are performed at the same session by the same individual, the primary procedure or service may be reported as listed. the additional procedure(s) or service(s) may be identified by appending modifier 51 to the additional procedure or service code(s). note: this modifier should not be appended to designated "add-on" codes (see appendix d). | 52 | Reduced services: under certain circumstances a service or procedure is partially reduced or eliminated at the discretion of the physician or other qualified health care professional. under these circumstances the service provided can be identified by its usual procedure number and the addition of modifier 52, signifying that the service is reduced. this provides a means of reporting reduced services without disturbing the identification of the basic service. note: for hospital outpatient reporting of a previously scheduled procedure/service that is partially reduced or cancelled as a result of extenuating circumstances or those that threaten the well-being of the patient prior to or after administration of anesthesia, see modifiers 73 and 74 (see modifiers approved for asc hospital outpatient use). | 53 | Discontinued procedure: under certain circumstances, the physician or other qualified health care professional may elect to terminate a surgical or diagnostic procedure. due to extenuating circumstances or those that threaten the well being of the patient, it may be necessary to indicate that a surgical or diagnostic procedure was started but discontinued. this circumstance may be reported by adding modifier 53 to the code reported by the individual for the discontinued procedure. note: this modifier is not used to report the elective cancellation of a procedure prior to the patient's anesthesia induction and/or surgical preparation in the operating suite. for outpatient hospital/ambulatory surgery center (asc) reporting of a previously scheduled procedure/service that is partially reduced or cancelled as a result of extenuating circumstances or those that threaten the well being of the patient prior to or after administration of anesthesia, see modifiers 73 and 74 (see modifiers approved for asc hospital outpatient use). | 78 | Unplanned return to the operating/procedure room by the same physician or other qualified health care professional following initial procedure for a related procedure during the postoperative period: it may be necessary to indicate that another procedure was performed during the postoperative period of the initial procedure (unplanned procedure following initial procedure). when this procedure is related to the first, and requires the use of an operating/procedure room, it may be reported by adding modifier 78 to the related procedure. (for repeat procedures, see modifier 76.) | 79 | Unrelated procedure or service by the same physician or other qualified health care professional during the postoperative period: the individual may need to indicate that the performance of a procedure or service during the postoperative period was unrelated to the original procedure. this circumstance may be reported by using modifier 79. (for repeat procedures on the same day, see modifier 76.) | 80 | Assistant surgeon: surgical assistant services may be identified by adding modifier 80 to the usual procedure number(s). | 82 | Assistant surgeon (when qualified resident surgeon not available): the unavailability of a qualified resident surgeon is a prerequisite for use of modifier 82 appended to the usual procedure code number(s). | AF | Specialty physician | AQ | Physician providing a service in an unlisted health professional shortage area (hpsa) | CC | Procedure code change (use 'cc' when the procedure code submitted was changed either for administrative reasons or because an incorrect code was filed) | CR | Catastrophe/disaster related | F2 | Left hand, third digit | GV | Attending physician not employed or paid under arrangement by the patient's hospice provider | GW | Service not related to the hospice patient's terminal condition | GZ | Item or service expected to be denied as not reasonable and necessary | Q1 | Routine clinical service provided in a clinical research study that is in an approved clinical research study | T5 | Right foot, great toe | T9 | Right foot, fifth digit | XP | Separate practitioner, a service that is distinct because it was performed by a different practitioner |
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| 2020-01-01 | Added | Code added. |
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