Reader Question:
Know the Three Knee Compartments
Published on Tue Apr 01, 2003
Question: We were pleased to read in the February Orthopedic Coding Alert that we can now report G0289 for chondroplasty when the surgeon performs a meniscec-tomy (29880-29881) in a separate compartment. What are the separate compartments? Nevada Subscriber Answer: HCPCS introduced 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) in 2003 so you can recoup reimbursement if the orthopedist performs chondroplasty and meniscectomy in separate compartments. According to the June 1999 CPT Assistant, the surgeon can visualize three knee compartments during arthroscopic surgery: the medial, lateral, and patellofemoral. If the surgeon performs a lateral meniscec-tomy and a medial chondroplasty, you should report 29881 and G0289.
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