29879 – Arthroscopy, knee, surgical; abrasion arthroplasty (includes. chondroplasty where necessary) or multiple drilling or microfracture.

Can CPT 29880 and 29879 be billed together?

As of this writing, CPT 29879 — Arthroscopy knee, surgical; abrasion arthroplasty (includes chondroplasty where necessary) or multiple drilling or microfracture — when adequately described within the operative report may still be reported in addition to the 29880 or 29881 procedures.

What is the difference between 29880 and 29881?

By definition, 29880 reports meniscectomy in both the medial and lateral compartments, while 29881 defines a meniscectomy in either the medial or lateral compartment.

What is the CPT code for Chondroplasty?

29877
Report HCPCS code G0289 only to Medicare (unless a private payer has provided specific written instructions related to this code). Do not report HCPCS code G0289 to Medicare if the only procedure performed and documented is a chondroplasty. Instead, report CPT code 29877.

What is abrasion arthroplasty?

Arthroscopic abrasion arthroplasty is one such procedure that your physician may use to restore knee articular lining by rasping damaged areas to promote bleeding, and formation of fibrocartilage, or scar tissue, which covers the damaged area.

Does CPT code 29881 include Chondroplasty?

The chondroplasty is inclusive and not separately reportable even though the procedure is performed in two separate compartments. The chondroplasty is not reportable in lieu of CPT code 29881 because the documentation and medical necessity supported the meniscectomy as the primary procedure.

Can 29877 and 29881 be billed together?

Yes. In order to separately report arthroscopic debridement/shaving of articular cartilage (29877) and arthroscopic meniscectomy (29880, 29881) performed at the same session, the procedures must be performed in separate compartments of the knee.

Is CPT 29881 considered experimental?

For example, Aetna’s Clinical Policy Bulletin #0673 changed how ASCs approach meniscectomy cases – procedures billed via CPT codes 29880 and 29881. From Aetna’s perspective, meniscectomies billed without a current injury diagnosis are deemed experimental and investigational (not reimbursable).

Can CPT code 29874 be billed with 29880?

For Medicare patients, the major arthroscopic knee procedures are assign with standard arthroscopy codes (29870-29887). Hence, CMS will not allow coding CPT code 29874 and 29877 along with other major arthroscopic procedures CPT code 29881 or 29880 on same knee and same compartment.

Does CPT code 29881 include chondroplasty?

Should I report a chondroplasty as an abrasion arthroplasty?

Reporting a chondroplasty as an abrasion arthroplasty is considered “upcoding” and should not be done.

What is the CPT code for subchondral abrasion arthroplasty?

While the latter provides the correct CPT codes, the original deficient documentation would not have supported code selection. According to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, “The abrasion arthroplasty or microfracture code (29879) is appropriate when the procedure exposes bleeding subchondral bone.” Documentation must support this.

What is the CPT code for chondroplasty?

CMS: When a chondroplasty is the only procedure (s) performed during the operative session, CMS allows reporting of CPT 29877 x 1 regardless of being performed in each of the three compartments of the knee. 3. Incorrectly reporting CPT 29877 vs. HCPCS Level II Code G0289 when indicated

What is the modifier for abrasion arthroplasty?

Ms. Edmiston continues: Abrasion arthroplasty or microfracture of the knee (29879) is reported per compartment of the knee. For example, if the procedure is being done is both the medial and lateral compartments you would report 29879 twice and append modifier -59 to the second one.