CPT Code 29882 | Description, Procedure & Billing Guidelines
Report CPT 29882 for knee joint examination with an arthroscope with meniscus repair in the lateral or medial compartment.
1. What Is CPT Code 29882?
CPT 29882 covers a knee joint examination with an arthroscope. They repair a torn meniscus in the lateral or medial compartment of the patient’s knee joint. This procedure aims to improve knee joint mobility and relieve pain.
2. Description
The CPT book describes CPT code 29882 as follows: “Arthroscopy, knee, surgical; with meniscus repair (medial OR lateral).”
3. Procedure
The 29882 CPT code procedure begins with anesthetizing and prepping the patient before the provider incisions the patient’s knee area. Then, they insert the arthroscope into the knee joint through one of the incisions.
Next, they expand the area around the patient’s knee joint with a saline solution before inspecting it with the arthroscope.
Then, they repair the torn meniscus with instruments inserted into the lateral or medial compartment of the knee. Then suture the meniscus tear after it is fixed.
Finally, they rinse the area, remove the instruments, close the incisions and check for bleeding.
4. How To Use CPT 29882
Use CPT 29882 to report knee joint examination and repair in the lateral or medial compartment. Do not report this code if the procedure was performed in both compartments.
Use CPT 29883 instead of CPT 29882 if the same procedure was performed in the lateral and medial compartments.
This code is part of the merit-based incentive payment system.
5. Resources
https://www.aapc.com/blog/51405-coding-knee-arthroscopy-with-precision/
https://orthop.washington.edu/patient-care/articles/sports/arthroscopic-meniscus-repair.html
