I respectfully disagree as debridement, via a scope, is typically a synovectomy or a chondroplasty for the knee. Without knowing what you are debriding a modifier 59 is not supported to identify separate compartments for the 29881. If you provided more information, I may be able to support a 29874-59.
A synovectomy (29874/29875) and chrondoplasty (29877) are both bundled codes and modifier's are NOT allowed with the 29881 when performed in the same knee. The description for the 29877 as debridement/chondroplasty [Udescription specifically includes debridement of the same or different compartment.[/U]
Please clarify if a foreign body was removed? Then the G0289 could be reported with a 29881.
CMS Medicare Rules: NCCI Coding Manual, Chapter IV-6, IV-7CPT codes 29874 (Surgical knee arthroscopy for removal of loose body or foreign body or foreign body) and 29877 (Surgical knee arthroscopy for debridement/shaving of articular cartilage) should not be reported with other knee arthroscopy codes (29866-29889). With two exceptions HCPCS code G0289 (Surgical knee arthroscopy for removal of loose body, foreign body, debridement/shaving of articular cartilage at the time of other surgical knee arthroscopy in a different compartment of the same knee) may be reported with other knee arthroscopy codes. Since CPT codes 29880 and 29881 (Surgical knee arthroscopy with meniscectomy including debridement/shaving of articular cartilage of same or separate compartment(s)) include debridement/shaving of articular cartilage of any compartment, HCPCS code G0289 may be reported with CPT codes 29880 or 29881 only if reported for removal of a loose body or foreign body from a different compartment of the same knee. HCPCS code G0289 should not be reported for removal of a loose body or foreign body or debridement/shaving of articular cartilage from the same compartment as another knee arthroscopic procedure.