Wiki coding question 29880 and 29877

[dalanicks@aol.com]

cpt 29877 and 29880 I know should never be billed together, however when the dr. does a shaving in a different part of the knee, would I be able to append modifier 59?

 

[CodingKing]

According to the CPT book they should not be reported together. Should be billed as 29880 (When performed with arthroscopic meniscectomy, see 29880 or 29881)

per code 29880 "including debridement/shaving of articular cartilage (chondroplasty), same or separate compartment(s), when performed"

That means it doesn't matter what compartment the chondroplasty was done in you cannot report it separately even if its done in the patella-femoral compartment.


AAPC Article:

https://www.aapc.com/blog/26775-code-a-single-knee-arthroscopy-per-compartment/