Summary & Overview
CPT 27333: Knee Partial Meniscectomy, Medial and Lateral
CPT code 27333 describes a knee surgical procedure for removal of damaged meniscal tissue from both the medial and lateral compartments. The code represents a common orthopedic intervention for symptomatic meniscal tears caused by twisting injuries. It matters nationally because meniscal surgery is a frequent source of surgical volume, impacts care pathways in orthopedic and sports medicine, and intersects with evolving guidance on conservative management versus operative repair.
Key payers covered in this analysis include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find a concise clinical context for the procedure, typical sites of service, and the kinds of benchmarks and policy considerations that affect reimbursement and utilization. The publication outlines national billing and coding considerations, common modifiers used with the code (input provided), and the implications of payers' coverage policies on access to operative care. It also highlights where data was not provided: associated taxonomies, ICD-10 diagnoses, related codes, and service-line granularity are listed as not available in the input.
This summary equips clinicians, billing staff, and policy analysts with an overview of what CPT code 27333 represents, which payers are commonly involved, and the topics covered in the full publication, including benchmarks, policy updates, and clinical context relevant to knee meniscal procedures.
Billing Code Overview
CPT code 27333 describes a surgical procedure in which the provider makes an incision into the knee joint to remove damaged crescent-shaped cartilages (menisci) from both the medial and lateral compartments that separate the femur from the tibia. This procedure addresses torn or frayed menisci commonly caused by twisting injuries to the knee.
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Service type: Surgical debridement/partial meniscectomy of the knee
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Typical site of service: Hospital outpatient department or ambulatory surgery center, performed in an operating room or procedure suite
Clinical & Coding Specifications
Clinical Context
A 28-year-old recreational soccer player presents with acute right knee pain after a twisting injury during play. The patient reports immediate swelling, joint line tenderness, and mechanical symptoms of locking and catching. Physical exam demonstrates a positive McMurray test and limited extension. MRI confirms a complex tear of both the medial and lateral menisci with symptomatic mechanical blockage. The orthopedic surgeon schedules an arthroscopic partial meniscectomy under regional or general anesthesia.
Preoperative workflow includes history and physical, informed consent discussing risks (infection, bleeding, stiffness, continued pain, potential need for future meniscal repair or arthroplasty), anesthesia evaluation, and pre-op imaging review. Intraoperative steps include diagnostic arthroscopy, identification of torn meniscal fragments in the medial and lateral compartments, and arthroscopic instrumentation to excise damaged crescent-shaped meniscal tissue. Hemostasis is achieved, portals are closed, and the patient is transferred to recovery with postoperative weight-bearing and rehabilitation instructions. Typical follow-up includes wound check, progressive range-of-motion and strengthening therapy, and activity modification guidance.
Coding Specifications
| Modifier | Description | When to Use |
|---|---|---|
00 | (Not a standard CMS modifier for claims; present in input) | Data not available for clinical application. |