CPT^® 29881, Under Endoscopy/Arthroscopy Procedures on the Musculoskeletal System

The Current Procedural Terminology (CPT^®) code 29881 as maintained by American Medical Association, is a medical procedural code under the range - Endoscopy/Arthroscopy Procedures on the Musculoskeletal System.

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Summary

The provider examines the inside of the knee joint with an arthroscope. She repairs the joint by removing the meniscus, a crescent shaped cartilage cushion, from either the medial or lateral compartments of the knee joint. If required, she reshapes the articular cartilage covering the bony surfaces in either compartment by excising or shaving tissue from its surface. The procedure relieves pain and improves mobility in the joint.

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Dx code M23.232

[QUOTE="sls314, post: 516318, member: 523015"] Here's a link to the applicable Aetna Clinical Policy Bulletin: [URL]https://www.aetna.com/cpb/medical/data/600_699/0673.html[/URL] For 29881, the poli... [ Read More ]

Dx code M23.232

[QUOTE="sandraclark5123@gmail.com, post: 516308, member: 784044"] We billed CPT 29881 and used dx code M23.232. Patient has commercial Aetna and they have denied our claim as the diagnosis is experime... [ Read More ]

Dx code M23.232

You are correct...M23.232 supports 29881. The issue is that you are dealing with AETNA. You will find that when you bill this and similar codes to other insurance companies there won't be an issue get... [ Read More ]

Dx code M23.232

We billed CPT 29881 and used dx code M23.232. Patient has commercial Aetna and they have denied our claim as the diagnosis is experimental. In my research this dx code is reimbursable. Is there anothe... [ Read More ]

Same knee procedures

What modifier would go with partial meniscectomy (29881) and aspiration of popliteal cyst (20610) performed on the same knee? I was thinking modifier 51 but was told most payers don't accept it or the... [ Read More ]

Chondroplasty or Meniscectomy

*** As CPT does have direction and I am well aware of what is in the book, that was not sufficient for the doctor to explain why. *** The coding instructions in the CPT should absolutely satisfy the... [ Read More ]

Chondroplasty or Meniscectomy

Thank you everyone for your input. I understand what CPT says and all the other sources and have always coded it for just the meniscectomies. I also know about the G0289 and have used it appropriately... [ Read More ]

Chondroplasty or Meniscectomy

You have to code the 29880. Think about it this way - would they have gone in there just to do the 29877 in the first place? Probably not. The reason for the surgery and intent of the procedure was th... [ Read More ]

Chondroplasty or Meniscectomy

[QUOTE="jdibble, post: 514634, member: 80630"] I am having a debate with myself and am looking for some opinions and help! If my doctor documents that he did an Arthroscopic Chondroplasty on the knee... [ Read More ]

Chondroplasty or Meniscectomy

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