Orthopedic Coding Alert

Answer: According to Global Service Data for Orthopaedic Surgery, published by the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, it is only acceptable to bill 29877 (arthroscopy, knee, surgical; debridement/shaving of articular cartilage [chondroplasty]) with 29881 ( with meniscectomy [medial OR lateral, including any meniscal shaving]) when the chondroplasty is performed in a different compartment than the meniscectomy. In other words, if the surgeon performed a partial lateral meniscectomy, he or she cannot bill for a chondroplasty in the lateral compartment. However, if the meniscectomy and chondroplasty are performed in separate compartments of the knee, append modifier -59 (distinct procedural service) to 29877.