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    v1.0.30
    OpenPayerBilling CodesEndoscopy/Arthroscopy Procedures on the Musculoskeletal SystemCPT cpt-29823-arthroscopic-shoulder-debridement-extensive-tissue-excision
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    CPT 29823: Arthroscopic Shoulder Extensive Excision/Debridement

    Medicare pays $570 on average nationally for this procedure.

    CPT code 29823 describes an arthroscopic shoulder procedure in which the provider inspects the intra-articular shoulder structures with an arthroscope, introduces additional instruments, and performs extensive excision/debridement of damaged tissues resulting from shoulder trauma; service type: arthroscopic surgical debridement; typical site of service: operating room or ambulatory surgery center during an orthopedic shoulder surgical procedure.

    For related coverage guidance, see recent payer policy updates: Dental Anesthesia Services, Anesthesia Services for Interventional Pain Management Procedures in an Adult, General Anesthesia and Conscious Sedation Services.

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    Table of contents

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    Clinical & Coding Specifications

    Clinical Context

    A 45-year-old patient presents to the orthopedic clinic after a motor vehicle collision with persistent shoulder pain, limited range of motion, and mechanical catching despite initial conservative management (rest, physical therapy, and anti-inflammatory medication). Imaging (MRI) demonstrates intra-articular torn and fragmented labral and chondral tissue with synovitis consistent with traumatic intra-articular injury. The orthopedic surgeon schedules an arthroscopic shoulder procedure to visualize the joint, remove extensive damaged intra-articular soft tissue and loose bodies, and perform synovectomy as indicated. Typical workflow: preoperative evaluation in clinic with informed consent and documentation of symptoms, imaging, and failed conservative care; pre-op anesthesia evaluation; procedure performed in an ambulatory surgery center or hospital operating room under general anesthesia with regional block as appropriate; arthroscopic diagnostic inspection of the glenohumeral joint with insertion of working instruments, excision and debridement of extensive damaged tissue and loose bodies, hemostasis, closure of portals, and post-anesthesia recovery with discharge instructions and postoperative follow-up for rehabilitation and activity progression.

    Related CPT Codes

    CPT CodeDescriptionRelationship to This Procedure
    29826Arthroscopy, shoulder, surgical; distal claviculectomy including distal articular surface (Mumford procedure)May be performed concurrently or in the same operative session when acromioclavicular joint pathology is present with intra-articular shoulder injury.
    29827Arthroscopy, shoulder, surgical; lateral claviculectomy (note: not standard; placeholder)Data not available in the input.
    29824Arthroscopy, shoulder, surgical; synovectomy, partial, glenohumeral jointCommonly performed with extensive debridement when synovitis is present alongside damaged intra-articular tissue.
    29820Arthroscopy, shoulder, diagnostic, with/without synovial biopsyOften performed before or at the start of 29823 for diagnostic inspection of the joint and to guide debridement extent.
    29806Arthroscopy, shoulder, capsulorrhaphyMay be performed in the same setting if instability requiring repair is identified in addition to intra-articular debridement.

    Related Modifiers

    11 rows

    ModifierDescriptionWhen to Use
    22Modifier –22 (Increased Procedural Services) is used when a reported procedure is substantially more extensive than normally required. The CPT Manual and CMS state it may be appended only when the…- When to use: Append modifier -22 to a procedural CPT code when the service performed is substantially more extensive than the usual service described by that code — i.e., the procedure required…
    52Modifier ‑52 (Reduced Services) indicates that a service or procedure was partially reduced or omitted at the provider’s discretion, allowing reporting of the basic procedure number with a qualifier…- Use modifier -52 when a physician or qualified health professional electively reduces or omits part of a procedure or service (for example, performing fewer required views or omitting a portion of…
    53Modifier 53 (Discontinued Procedure) signals that a surgical or diagnostic service was begun by the physician but terminated because of extenuating circumstances that threatened the patient’s…- Use modifier -53 when a physician/qualified healthcare professional has started a surgical or diagnostic procedure (e.g., anesthesia administered, incision or scope insertion) and then discontinues…
    59Modifier 59 indicates a distinct procedural service when two procedures that are not normally billed together are clinically and procedurally separate. The CPT definition (as reiterated by CMS)…- Use modifier -59 to report a distinct procedural service when documentation supports that the procedure reported is not normally billed together with another service on the same day because of a…
    62Modifier 62 indicates that two surgeons function as co‑surgeons, each performing distinct parts of the same primary surgical procedure. It is appended to the primary procedure code (and any…- Use modifier -62 when two surgeons act as co‑surgeons (both primary surgeons) on a single definitive primary procedure, each performing distinct parts of the same surgical procedure (append -62 to…
    66Modifier 66 (Surgical Team) is used when three or more surgeons act as primary surgeons on a single, highly complex procedure. The AMA defines it for use when a surgical team — often composed of…- Use modifier 66 when three or more surgeons act as primary surgeons working collaboratively as a surgical team on a single, highly complex or difficult procedure (for example organ…
    73Modifier 73 indicates a facility-level outpatient hospital or ASC procedure that was discontinued after the patient was prepared and taken to the procedure/operating room but before any anesthesia…- When to use: Apply CPT modifier 73 on the FACILITY (outpatient hospital or ASC) claim when the patient has been fully prepared and physically taken into the procedure/operating room but the…
    74Modifier ‑74 indicates an outpatient hospital or ASC procedure that was discontinued after anesthesia was administered and after the procedure had begun. Use this modifier when anesthesia (local,…- Use modifier -74 when a procedure in an outpatient hospital or ASC setting is terminated after anesthesia has been administered and after the procedure has commenced (for example, after incision,…
    76Modifier -76, Repeat Procedure or Service by Same Physician or Other Qualified Health Care Professional, is appended when the same provider performs an identical, medically necessary procedure or…- Use modifier -76 when the same physician or other qualified health care professional performs an identical procedure or service a second (or subsequent) time on the same date of service and the…
    77Modifier 77 indicates that a previously performed procedure or service was legitimately repeated by a different physician or other qualified health care professional. The AMA’s CPT definition…- Use modifier 77 when a basic procedure or service already performed is repeated by a different physician or other qualified health care professional (for example, a second provider independently…

    Showing 1–10 of 11

    Related Provider Taxonomies

    8 rows

    Taxonomy Code
    207W00000X
    207X00000X
    2080P0208X
    207L00000X
    207PE0005X
    2084N0600X
    2084H0002X
    2086P0122X

    Related ICD-10-CM Codes

    23 rows

    ICD-10-CM CodeDescription
    M13.111Monoarthritis, not elsewhere classified, right shoulder
    M13.112Monoarthritis, not elsewhere classified, left shoulder
    M19.011Primary osteoarthritis, right shoulder
    M19.012Primary osteoarthritis, left shoulder
    M24.011Loose body in right shoulder
    M24.012Loose body in left shoulder
    M25.511Pain in right shoulder
    M25.512Pain in left shoulder
    M67.411Ganglion, right shoulder
    M67.412Ganglion, left shoulder

    Showing 1–10 of 23

    Related Payer Policy Updates

    Specialty: Anesthesiology1 / 3

    10 rows

    PolicyPayerEffective Date
    Dental Anesthesia ServicesProvidence Health Plan2026-10-01
    Anesthesia Services for Interventional Pain Management Procedures in an AdultCigna2026-09-15
    General Anesthesia and Conscious Sedation ServicesUnitedHealthcare2026-09-01
    Intravenous Anesthetics for the Treatment of Chronic Pain and Psychiatric or Substance Use DisordersPremera Bluecross2026-07-01
    Intravenous Anesthetics for the Treatment of Chronic Pain and Psychiatric or Substance Use DisordersPremera Bluecross2026-07-01
    Intravenous Anesthetics for the Treatment of Chronic Pain and Psychiatric or Substance Use DisordersPremera Bluecross2026-07-01
    Intravenous Anesthetics for the Treatment of Chronic Pain and Psychiatric or Substance Use DisordersPremera Bluecross2026-07-01
    Elective Inpatient Services (for Idaho Only)UnitedHealthcare2026-06-01
    Sites of Servicepriority health2026-06-01
    Coverage for Ambulatory Surgery Unit (ASU)/Outpatient Facility and Anesthesia for Dental Servicesuniverahealthcare2026-05-21

    Related Codes

    CPT-29800-TMJ-ARTHROSCOPY-DIAGNOSTIC-BIOPSY

    CPT 29800: Temporomandibular Joint Arthroscopy, Diagnostic

    CPT-29804-TEMPOROMANDIBULAR-JOINT-ARTHROSCOPY-TMJ-REPAIR

    CPT 29804: Temporomandibular Joint Arthroscopy

    CPT-29805-SHOULDER-ARTHROSCOPY-WITH-SYNOVIAL-BIOPSY

    CPT 29805: Diagnostic Shoulder Arthroscopy with Synovial Biopsy

    CPT-29806-ARTHROSCOPIC-SHOULDER-CAPSULE-REPAIR

    CPT 29806: Arthroscopy, Shoulder, Repair of Capsular Tear

    CPT-29807-ARTHROSCOPIC-SLAP-LESION-REPAIR-SHOULDER

    CPT 29807: Arthroscopic Repair of SLAP Lesion in Shoulder

    CPT-29819-ARTHROSCOPIC-SHOULDER-LOOSE-FOREIGN-BODY-REMOVAL

    CPT 29819: Arthroscopic Removal of Loose or Foreign Bodies, Shoulder

    CPT-29820-ARTHROSCOPIC-SHOULDER-SYNOVECTOMY

    CPT 29820: Arthroscopic Synovectomy of Shoulder

    CPT-29821-ARTHROSCOPIC-SHOULDER-SYNOVECTOMY

    CPT 29821: Arthroscopic Complete Synovectomy of Shoulder

    CPT-29822-SHOULDER-ARTHROSCOPY-LIMITED-DEBRIDEMENT

    CPT 29822: Arthroscopy, Shoulder, Limited Debridement

    CPT-29824-ARTHROSCOPIC-DISTAL-CLAVICULECTOMY-MUMFORD

    CPT 29824: Arthroscopic Distal Clavicle Resection (Mumford Procedure)

    Showing 1–10 of 75

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    Frequently Asked Questions

    References

    1. 1.CPT® Codes and Descriptions. AAPC. Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.Maintains the CPT code set's official descriptions and guidelines, licensed from the American Medical Association, used as the definitional source for CPT codes on this page.
    2. 2.HCPCS Quarterly Update. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.CMS's quarterly release of HCPCS Level II codes and short/long descriptors, the source for HCPCS code definitions and update history.
    3. 3.ICD-10-CM Full Code List. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.CMS's complete ICD-10-CM diagnosis code list, used to cross-reference diagnosis codes associated with this procedure or service.
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