HCPCS code G0289 may be reported in addition to CPT® code 29880, Arthroscopy, knee, surgical; with meniscectomy (media AND lateral, including any meniscal shaving) or CPT® code 29881, Arthroscopy, knee, surgical; with meniscectomy (medial or lateral, including any meniscal shaving)if performed in a separate compartment. Example:
For medial and lateral meniscectomy use code 29880. The knee has three compartments, and you can bill one procedure per compartment. As of 2012 ALL debridement ANYWHERE in the knee is included with 29880 & 29881. Only use 29877 or 29874 if they are the only arthroscopic procedure performed.
CPT Codes: 29880 Arthroscopy medial and lateral meniscectomy G0289 for the Arthroscopic removal of a loose body in a separate compartment 29880 is coded for the medial AND lateral meniscectomy Since the loose body removal was done in a separate compartment (patellofemoral), the G0289 is coded.
Although knee arthroscopy is common, coding these surgical procedures can be complicated. Payment for knee arthroscopy hinges on proper coding, and proper coding relies on your knowledge of the code definitions and the differences between CPT® and Medicare guidelines.
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Example 1—The surgeon performs and documents arthroscopic left lateral meniscectomy and arthroscopic tricompartmental chondroplasty and reports CPT code 29881.
ICD-10 code Z98. 890 for Other specified postprocedural states is a medical classification as listed by WHO under the range - Factors influencing health status and contact with health services .
Coding for Arthroscopic Knee Surgery in ICD-10-PCS Therefore, an arthroscopy of the right knee is classified to code 0SJC4ZZ, and arthroscopy of the left knee is classified to code 0SJD4ZZ.
CPT® code 29880 reports a meniscectomy in both the medial and lateral compartments, while CPT® code 29881 indicates a meniscectomy in either the medial or lateral compartment.
CPT 29879, arthroscopy knee, surgical; abrasion arthroplasty (includes chondroplasty where necessary) or multiple drilling or microfracture.
Z98. 890 is a billable/specific ICD-10-CM code that can be used to indicate a diagnosis for reimbursement purposes. The 2022 edition of ICD-10-CM Z98. 890 became effective on October 1, 2021.
ICD-10 code G89. 29 for Other chronic pain is a medical classification as listed by WHO under the range - Diseases of the nervous system .
ICD-10-CM Code for Encounter for surgical aftercare following surgery on specified body systems Z48. 81.
Partial medial meniscectomy is an effective form of management for symptomatic medial meniscus tears and tears involving the posterior root with minimal to no degenerative joint disease, joint space narrowing, and preserved joint alignment.
Encounter for other orthopedic aftercareICD-10 code Z47. 89 for Encounter for other orthopedic aftercare is a medical classification as listed by WHO under the range - Factors influencing health status and contact with health services .
Presence of artificial knee joint, bilateral The 2022 edition of ICD-10-CM Z96. 653 became effective on October 1, 2021. This is the American ICD-10-CM version of Z96.
CPT® Code 29882 in section: Arthroscopy, knee, surgical.
CPT code 29876 describes a major synovectomy and may be reported in two or more compartments when performed. This is where the coding becomes a bit confusing. Surgeons commonly perform a synovectomy in addition to other procedures to “clean up” the joint while performing more extensive surgery.
Meniscectomy (29880, 29881) and meniscal repairs (29882, 29883) may be performed alone or with other services, and often are the primary service. Meniscectomy involves surgical removal of all or part of a torn meniscus, while 29882 and 29883 are used when the meniscal tear is repairable.
CPT® Code 29881 in section: Arthroscopy, knee, surgical.
CPT® code 29880 reports a meniscectomy in both the medial and lateral compartments, while CPT® code 29881 indicates a meniscectomy in either the medial or lateral compartment. Both codes include debridement/shaving of articular cartilage (chondroplasty), in the same compartment or separate compartments of the same knee.
Most surgeons treat meniscus tears with arthroscopic surgery, which involves inserting a thin, flexible fiber-optic device into a small incision in the knee. The surgeon then maneuvers tools through the arthroscope or additional incisions in the knee.
29880 Arthroscopy, knee, surgical with meniscectomy (medial AND lateral, including any meniscal shaving) including debridement/shaving of articular cartilage (chondroplasty), same or separate compartment (s), when performed
29882 Arthroscopy, knee, surgical with meniscus repair (medial OR lateral)
Diagnostic arthroscopies are used to examine and diagnose problems in the knee joint; surgical arthroscopies are used to treat diseased or damaged areas such as torn menisci, chondromalacia, or inflamed synovium.
And the patellofemoral compartment includes the patella, patellofemoral joint, intercondylar femoral notch, suprapatellar pouch, and the trochlea. The meniscus is a c-shaped piece of cartilage between the tibia and femur, which absorbs shock, provides a cushion between the bones, and keeps the knee stable.
Although the National Correct Coding Initiative (NCCI) bundles 29877 Arthroscopy, knee, surgical debridement/shaving of articular cartilage (chondroplasty) and the meniscal repair codes, with a “0” modifier indicator, which typically means you cannot separately report the codes under any circumstance, Medicare allows providers to separately report chondroplasty with meniscal repairs if performed in a different compartment of the same knee. Medicare instructs coders to use HCPCS Level II code G0289 Arthroscopy, knee, surgical, for removal of loose body, foreign body, debridement/shaving of articular cartilage (chondroplasty) at the time of other surgical knee arthroscopy in a different compartment of the same knee. Do not separately report chondroplasty if another surgery is performed in the same compartment.
“From a CPT® coding perspective, if debridement or shaving of articular cartilage and meniscectomy are performed in the same compartment of the knee, then only code 29881, Arthroscopy, knee, surgical; with meniscectomy (medial or lateral, including any meniscal shaving), should be reported. However, if debridement or shaving of articular cartilage is performed in one compartment of the knee and a meniscectomy is performed in a different compartment of the knee, then codes 29877, Arthroscopy, knee, surgical; debridement/shaving of articular cartilage (chondroplasty), and 29881 should be reported.”
An important HCPCS code is G0289, Arthroscopy, knee, surgical, for removal of loose body, debridement/shaving of articular cartilage (chondroplasty) at the time of other surgical knee arthroscopy in a different compartment of the same knee. This code is used for Medicare to report the procedure in that description, when performed in a separate compartment of the knee during the same operative session. It is not appropriate to use code 29877 even with a modifier.
29876 for the extensive synovectomy is the only code reported. G0289 for the loose body is NOT CODED because the synovectomy was done in the same compartment as the loose body and therefore it was not in a separate compartment and is not to be coded.
From a CPT® coding perspective, if debridement or shaving of articular cartilage and meniscectomy are performed in the same compartment of the knee, then only code 29881, Arthroscopy, knee, surgical; with meniscectomy (medial or lateral, including any meniscal shaving), should be reported. However, if debridement or shaving of articular cartilage is performed in one compartment of the knee and a meniscectomy is performed in a different compartment of the knee, then codes 29877, Arthroscopy, knee, surgical; debridement/shaving of articular cartilage (chondroplasty), and 29881 should be reported. (CPT® Assistant April 2005; page 14)
An arthroscopy with a medial meniscectomy and shaving of the articular cartilage in the lateral compartment is performed on the left knee, commercial carrier.
HCPCS code G0289 may be reported in addition to CPT® code 29880 , Arthroscopy, knee, surgical; with meniscectomy (media AND lateral, including any meniscal shaving) or C PT® code 29881 , Arthroscopy, knee, surgical; with meniscectomy (medial or lateral, including any meniscal shaving)if performed in a separate compartment.
However, if debridement or shaving of articular cartilage is performed in one compartment of the knee and a meniscectomy is performed in a different compartment of the knee, then codes 29877, Arthroscopy, knee, surgical; debridement/shaving of articular cartilage (chondroplasty), and 29881 should be reported.
An important HCPCS code is G0289 , Arthroscopy, knee, surgical, for removal of loose body, debridement/shaving of articular cartilage (chondroplasty) at the time of other surgical knee arthroscopy in a different compartment of the same knee. This code is used for Medicare patient’s to report the procedure in that description, when performed in a separate compartment of the knee during the same operative session. It is not appropriate to use code 29877 even with at modifier.
Note: Involves resection of synovium and/or plica from two or more compartment. The code 29876 can be assigned in addition to 29881
Arthroscopy: Knee arthroscopy allows the physician to visualize the joint space of the knee using a fiberoptic en doscope. (An endoscope is basically a long tube with a lens at each end. Endoscopes used to visualize joint spaces are call arthroscopes). This Technology also allows the physician to perform arthroscopic surgery using.