Summary & Overview
CPT 29862: Hip Arthroscopy with Chondroplasty and Labral Debridement
CPT code 29862 represents arthroscopic hip joint surgery that combines joint inspection, chondroplasty (reshaping articular cartilage), and labral debridement or removal. Nationally, this code captures minimally invasive operative management for femoroacetabular impingement and labral injury aimed at reducing pain and restoring mobility. It is clinically important because arthroscopic hip procedures have grown as surgeons favor joint-preserving interventions over open surgeries.
Key payers included in the analysis are Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find a concise overview of clinical intent and service setting, a description of typical payer coverage considerations, and benchmarking context when available. The publication outlines how CPT code 29862 is used in claims, common clinical scenarios prompting its use, and operational notes relevant to billing and site-of-service designation.
This summary provides a national perspective for clinicians, coders, and policy analysts seeking a clear, operational understanding of CPT code 29862, its clinical role in hip-preserving arthroscopy, and the payer landscape that typically governs reimbursement and utilization tracking.
Billing Code Overview
CPT code 29862 describes an arthroscopic procedure on the hip joint in which the provider inspects the interior of the joint with an arthroscope, reshapes damaged articular cartilage covering the femoral head and acetabulum, and removes the torn or damaged labral tissue. The procedure is intended to relieve pain and improve joint mobility.
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Service type: Arthroscopic hip joint repair (operative, minimally invasive)
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Typical site of service: Ambulatory surgery center or hospital outpatient department
Clinical & Coding Specifications
Clinical Context
A 32-year-old active individual presents with progressive groin pain, mechanical catching, and limited hip internal rotation after months of activity-related symptoms. Conservative care including physical therapy, activity modification, and NSAIDs failed to relieve pain. Imaging with hip MRI arthrogram demonstrates a labral tear and focal chondrolabral damage with a cam-type femoroacetabular impingement morphology. The orthopedic surgeon schedules an arthroscopic hip procedure to address the intra-articular pathology.
Preoperative workflow includes history and focused musculoskeletal exam, review of MRI findings, informed consent describing arthroscopy, labral repair or debridement, and osteochondroplasty as indicated. On the day of surgery the patient undergoes general anesthesia, traction-assisted hip arthroscopy is performed using standard portals, the labral rim is debrided or repaired and articular cartilage is reshaped (chondroplasty), and bone reshaping is performed if impingement is present. Postoperative workflow includes recovery monitoring, discharge with analgesia and weight-bearing instructions, and postoperative physical therapy for progressive range of motion and strengthening to restore mobility and relieve pain.
Coding Specifications
| Modifier | Description | When to Use |
|---|---|---|
26 | Professional component | When reporting only the surgeon’s professional component separate from facility billing (rare for operative CPTs). |