Summary & Overview
CPT 29882: Arthroscopic Knee Surgery with Meniscus Repair
CPT code 29882 represents a surgical arthroscopy of the knee with repair of either the medial or lateral meniscus. This procedure is a cornerstone in orthopedic surgery for treating meniscal injuries, which are common among both athletes and the general population. The code is utilized in ambulatory surgery centers and hospital outpatient settings, reflecting its prevalence in minimally invasive knee repair.
Major national payers, including Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, Medicare, and UnitedHealthcare, provide coverage for this procedure, making it relevant for a broad spectrum of patients and providers. The publication offers insights into payer coverage, clinical benchmarks, and policy updates related to CPT 29882. Readers will gain an understanding of the clinical context for meniscus repair, typical sites of service, and how this code fits within the broader landscape of orthopedic billing and reimbursement.
Key topics include the role of CPT 29882 in knee injury management, payer policies, and its relationship to other orthopedic procedures. The summary also highlights associated modifiers and taxonomies, as well as relevant ICD-10 diagnoses and related CPT codes, providing a comprehensive overview for stakeholders in medical billing, policy, and clinical practice.
CPT Code Overview
CPT 29882 describes a surgical arthroscopy procedure of the knee, specifically for the repair of either the medial or lateral meniscus. This minimally invasive orthopedic surgery is commonly performed to address meniscal tears and restore knee function. The typical site of service for this procedure is an Ambulatory Surgery Center or Hospital Outpatient setting, such as Place of Service 24 or 22. This code is widely used in orthopedic practices and is a key component in the treatment of knee injuries.
Clinical & Coding Specifications
Clinical Context
A typical patient scenario involves an adult presenting with knee pain, swelling, and mechanical symptoms such as locking or catching, often following a sports injury or trauma. Physical examination and imaging (e.g., MRI) reveal a meniscal tear. The patient is scheduled for arthroscopic knee surgery, specifically a meniscus repair, to address either a medial or lateral meniscus tear. The procedure is performed in an ambulatory surgery center or hospital outpatient setting by an orthopedic surgeon. Postoperative care includes physical therapy and follow-up to monitor healing and function.
Coding Specifications
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Modifiers:
Modifier Code Description Usage RTRight side Used when the procedure is performed on the right knee LTLeft side Used when the procedure is performed on the left knee 59Distinct Procedural Service Used to indicate a separate and distinct procedure from others performed on the same day 51Multiple Procedures Used when multiple procedures are performed during the same operative session -
Provider Taxonomies:
207X00000X- Orthopaedic Surgery Physician: Specialists in surgical and non-surgical treatment of musculoskeletal conditions.207XX0004X- Orthopaedic Surgery of the Spine Physician: Specialists focusing on spine-related orthopedic surgery.207XX0801X- Sports Medicine (Orthopaedic Surgery) Physician: Orthopedic surgeons with expertise in sports-related injuries and treatments.
Related Diagnoses
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M23.2- Derangement of meniscus due to old tear or injury- Indicates chronic meniscal pathology, relevant for patients with longstanding symptoms requiring surgical repair.
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M23.3- Other meniscus derangements- Covers other chronic or degenerative meniscal conditions that may necessitate arthroscopic repair.
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S83.241A- Other tear of medial meniscus, current injury, right knee, initial encounter- Represents an acute medial meniscus tear in the right knee, commonly treated with arthroscopic repair.
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S83.242A- Other tear of medial meniscus, current injury, left knee, initial encounter- Represents an acute medial meniscus tear in the left knee, also commonly treated with arthroscopic repair.
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M23.8X9- Other internal derangements of unspecified knee- Used for unspecified internal knee derangements, which may include meniscal injuries addressed by arthroscopic repair.
Related CPT Codes
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29877- Arthroscopy, knee, surgical; debridement/shaving of articular cartilage (chondroplasty)- This code is used for arthroscopic chondroplasty procedures, often performed in conjunction with meniscus repair (
29882) when articular cartilage damage is present.
- This code is used for arthroscopic chondroplasty procedures, often performed in conjunction with meniscus repair (
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27403- Arthrotomy with meniscal repair, knee- This code represents an open surgical approach to meniscal repair, used as an alternative to arthroscopic repair (
29882) when indicated by clinical factors.
- This code represents an open surgical approach to meniscal repair, used as an alternative to arthroscopic repair (
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Common Clinical Workflow:
29877may be billed together with29882if both chondroplasty and meniscus repair are performed during the same session, typically with modifier59to indicate distinct procedures.27403is not commonly used together with29882as it represents an open, rather than arthroscopic, approach.
National Reimbursement Benchmarks
For CPT code 29882, national mean rates show a clear distinction between Medicare and commercial payers. Medicare's mean rate is $654.32, while the average commercial mean rate (BUCA) is $937.50, reflecting a substantial difference in reimbursement levels.
Rate dispersion, measured by the difference between the 75th and 25th percentiles, varies across payers. Medicare exhibits the tightest range at $56.00, indicating relatively consistent rates. In contrast, UnitedHealth Group has the widest dispersion at $715.50, followed by Cigna at $671.00, suggesting greater variability in commercial reimbursement.
The table and chart below present a detailed breakdown of national benchmarks for each payer, including mean rates and percentile values.
Trek Health ingests and normalizes Transparency in Coverage data and payer policy updates to give provider organizations a clear view of how commercial reimbursement behaves across markets, payers, and services. Our platform transforms raw payer disclosures into structured intelligence that supports contract evaluation, payer negotiations, and service line strategy. By combining market benchmarks with ongoing policy visibility, Trek helps teams identify variability, risk, and opportunity in commercial reimbursement. The result is faster insight, stronger negotiating positions, and more informed financial decisions.