Wiki Ortho question re: Meniscectomies 29880 and 29881

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Cheryl O

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Could somone please help me make sense of CPT codes 29880 and 29881.
I came across a bill with CPT code 29880 x 2. The procedure performed was a partial medial meniscectomy on the left side and a partial lateral meniscectomy, both with chondroplasty.
I was not sure if this should be coded as 29880 x 2 or if this should actually be coded as a 29881 x 2. In the description for 29880 it contains both medial and lateral, the 29881 is either/or.
Any help clearing this up would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks. :)
Cheryl
 
The codes are exactly what the description states. if the surgeon does a medial AND lateral menisectomy on the same knee use 29880 one time. If he only does one or the other (medial OR lateral) same knee use 29881 one time. The only time you could bill x 2 is if both knees were done.
 
Thanks Doreen,
I assumed that was the proper way of coding this, but I just wanted to clarify. Sometimes I can read to much into things.
Cheryl
 
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