How To Use CPT Code 29879

CPT 29879 refers to a knee arthroscopy procedure involving abrasion arthroplasty, chondroplasty, or multiple drilling or microfracture. This article will cover the description, procedure, qualifying circumstances, usage, documentation requirements, billing guidelines, historical information, similar codes, and examples of CPT 29879.

1. What is CPT 29879?

CPT 29879 is a surgical code used to describe a specific type of knee arthroscopy procedure. This procedure involves abrasion arthroplasty, chondroplasty, or multiple drilling or microfracture to repair the joint and improve mobility. It is used to relieve pain and restore function in patients with damaged knee joints.

2. 29879 CPT code description

The official description of CPT code 29879 is: “Arthroscopy, knee, surgical; abrasion arthroplasty (includes chondroplasty where necessary) or multiple drilling or microfracture.”

3. Procedure

1. The patient is appropriately prepped and anesthetized.
2. The provider makes small incisions in the knee area.
3. The arthroscope is inserted through one of the incisions into the knee joint.
4. Saline solution is instilled into the area to expand the area around the knee joint.
5. The provider inspects the joint and uses instruments to reshape the cartilage lining of the joint surfaces, grinding the surfaces.
6. If necessary, the provider drills small holes through the cartilage down to bone or excises a portion of damaged cartilage and uses an awl to make multiple punctures in the subchondral bone.
7. The area is irrigated, and bleeding is checked.
8. Any instruments are removed, and the incisions are closed.

4. Qualifying circumstances

Patients eligible to receive CPT code 29879 services are those experiencing pain, limited mobility, or other symptoms related to damaged knee joints. This may include patients with osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, or other degenerative joint diseases. The procedure is typically recommended when conservative treatments, such as physical therapy, medications, or injections, have not provided sufficient relief.

5. When to use CPT code 29879

It is appropriate to bill the 29879 CPT code when the provider performs a knee arthroscopy procedure involving abrasion arthroplasty, chondroplasty, or multiple drilling or microfracture. The procedure should be medically necessary and aimed at relieving pain and improving joint function in patients with damaged knee joints.

6. Documentation requirements

To support a claim for CPT 29879, the following information should be documented:

• Patient’s medical history and physical examination findings
• Diagnostic imaging results, such as X-rays or MRI, showing joint damage
• Conservative treatments attempted and their outcomes
• Indications for the surgical procedure
• Details of the procedure performed, including the specific techniques used (abrasion arthroplasty, chondroplasty, or multiple drilling or microfracture)
• Postoperative care instructions and follow-up plan

7. Billing guidelines

When billing for CPT code 29879, it is essential to follow the appropriate guidelines and rules. Ensure that the procedure is medically necessary and supported by proper documentation. Use the appropriate modifier, such as RT (Right side) or LT (Left side), to identify the specific anatomical site. Remember that surgical endoscopy and arthroscopy always include a diagnostic endoscopy or arthroscopy code, so never use a diagnostic code with a surgical code.

8. Historical information

CPT 29879 was added to the Current Procedural Terminology system on January 1, 1990. There have been no updates to the code since its addition.

9. Similar codes to CPT 29879

Five similar codes to CPT 29879 and how they differentiate are:

1. CPT 29880: This code involves a meniscectomy, which is the removal of the meniscus, rather than abrasion arthroplasty or chondroplasty.
2. CPT 29881: This code is for a partial meniscectomy, which involves removing only a portion of the meniscus.
3. CPT 29882: This code includes meniscal repair, where the meniscus is repaired rather than removed or reshaped.
4. CPT 29883: This code involves both meniscal repair and chondroplasty, combining elements of CPT 29879 and CPT 29882.
5. CPT 29884: This code is for a knee arthroscopy with meniscal transplantation, which involves transplanting a meniscus from a donor.

10. Examples

1. A patient with osteoarthritis undergoes a knee arthroscopy with abrasion arthroplasty to reshape the damaged cartilage and improve joint function.
2. A patient with rheumatoid arthritis has a knee arthroscopy with chondroplasty to remove damaged cartilage and promote healing.
3. A patient with a degenerative joint disease undergoes a knee arthroscopy with multiple drilling to stimulate new cartilage growth.
4. A patient with a history of knee pain and limited mobility has a knee arthroscopy with microfracture to encourage new cartilage formation.
5. A patient with a sports injury undergoes a knee arthroscopy with abrasion arthroplasty to repair damaged cartilage and restore joint function.
6. A patient with a history of failed conservative treatments for knee pain has a knee arthroscopy with chondroplasty to remove damaged cartilage and promote healing.
7. A patient with a degenerative joint disease undergoes a knee arthroscopy with multiple drilling to stimulate new cartilage growth and improve joint function.
8. A patient with a history of knee pain and limited mobility has a knee arthroscopy with microfracture to encourage new cartilage formation and restore joint function.
9. A patient with a sports injury undergoes a knee arthroscopy with abrasion arthroplasty to repair damaged cartilage and improve mobility.
10. A patient with a history of failed conservative treatments for knee pain has a knee arthroscopy with chondroplasty to remove damaged cartilage and promote healing, ultimately improving joint function.