CPT 29880: Arthroscopic Meniscectomy of Knee with Possible Chondroplasty

CPT code 29880 represents arthroscopic knee surgery for meniscal removal and meniscal shaving, with possible chondroplasty. This code is used nationally to capture surgical treatment of torn or damaged meniscal tissue and associated articular cartilage debridement via arthroscopy — a minimally invasive, camera-guided procedure. It matters nationally because arthroscopic meniscectomy is a common orthopedic intervention with implications for surgical utilization, post-acute care needs, and payer reimbursement policies.

Key payers covered in this analysis include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find a concise overview of clinical intent and typical settings, plus benchmarking context and policy-relevant considerations for coverage and coding practice. The publication summarizes common clinical scenarios where 29880 is reported, outlines service settings and expected care components, and highlights areas where payers frequently apply utilization review or bundled payment policies. The content is framed for a national audience and aims to clarify how the code is used clinically and administratively.

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Billing Code Overview

CPT code 29880 describes an arthroscopic knee procedure in which the provider performs an arthroscopic examination of the knee joint and removes damaged or torn meniscal tissue from the medial and lateral compartments. The procedure commonly includes meniscal shaving and may include chondroplasty (shaving or debridement of damaged articular cartilage) in the same or a separate compartment.

Service Type: Arthroscopic knee surgery — diagnostic and therapeutic meniscectomy with possible chondroplasty

Typical Site of Service: Hospital outpatient department or ambulatory surgery center, occasionally performed in an inpatient setting when clinically indicated.

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CPT 29880: Arthroscopic Meniscectomy of Knee with Possible Chondroplasty

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Billing Code Overview

Service Type: Arthroscopic knee surgery — diagnostic and therapeutic meniscectomy with possible chondroplasty

Typical Site of Service: Hospital outpatient department or ambulatory surgery center, occasionally performed in an inpatient setting when clinically indicated.

Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

A 32-year-old recreational soccer player presents with several months of intermittent right knee pain, swelling after activity, mechanical catching, and a recent episode of the knee "locking" after twisting injury. Physical exam demonstrates joint line tenderness and a positive McMurray test. MRI of the knee shows a complex tear of the medial meniscus with fraying of adjacent articular cartilage in the medial femoral condyle.

The patient is scheduled for arthroscopic knee surgery. In the operating room under general or regional anesthesia, the orthopaedic surgeon performs diagnostic arthroscopy using an arthroscope to inspect all compartments of the knee. The surgeon performs arthroscopic partial meniscectomy (resection of torn meniscal fragments) in the medial compartment with meniscal shaving to create a stable rim. Intraoperative chondroplasty (shaving/debridement of damaged articular cartilage) is performed in the same medial compartment to smooth fibrillated cartilage surfaces. Standard arthroscopic portals are used, irrigation established, and standard arthroscopic instruments and shavers are employed. Postoperative recovery includes standard wound care, weight-bearing as tolerated with crutches as needed, and outpatient physical therapy.

Typical site of service: Ambulatory surgery center or hospital outpatient surgery department.

Service type: Surgical — arthroscopic operative procedure of the knee (minimally invasive orthopaedic surgery).

Related Diagnoses

ICD-10 Code	Description	Clinical Relevance
`S83.241A`	Complex tear of medial meniscus, current injury, right knee, initial encounter	Represents an acute or subacute medial meniscal tear commonly treated with arthroscopic partial meniscectomy.
`S83.242A`	Complex tear of lateral meniscus, current injury, right knee, initial encounter	Lateral meniscal tears that may require arthroscopic debridement or meniscectomy.
`M23.21`	Derangement of medial meniscus due to old tear or injury, right knee	Chronic meniscal derangement and mechanical symptoms often addressed with arthroscopy.
`M17.0`	Bilateral primary osteoarthritis of knee	Coexisting osteoarthritis may lead to chondroplasty or debridement at time of arthroscopy for symptomatic relief.
`M24.261`	Derangement of medial meniscus due to old tear or injury, right knee	Indicates chronic meniscal pathology that can be managed with arthroscopic intervention.
`M17.11`	Unilateral primary osteoarthritis, right knee	Osteoarthritic changes can coexist with meniscal tears; arthroscopic chondroplasty may be performed for symptomatic focal cartilage lesions.

Related CPT Codes

CPT Code	Description	Relationship to This Procedure
`29881`	Arthroscopy, knee, surgical; with meniscectomy (medial OR lateral including any meniscal shaving)	Alternative code when only a single-compartment meniscectomy is performed; used when coding compartment-specific meniscectomy distinct from combined medial and lateral.
`29882`	Arthroscopy, knee, surgical; with meniscal repair (medial OR lateral)	Used when repair (suturing) of the meniscus is performed instead of or in addition to meniscectomy.
`29879`	Arthroscopy, knee, surgical; synovectomy, limited	May be reported when focal synovial debridement is performed concurrently with meniscectomy.
`29877`	Arthroscopy, knee, surgical; debridement/shaving of articular cartilage (chondroplasty)	Reported when chondroplasty is the primary arthroscopic procedure; often reported in addition to meniscectomy if allowed by payer rules.
`29874`	Arthroscopy, knee, diagnostic, with or without synovial biopsy	Performed when diagnostic arthroscopy is primary or when inspection with limited procedures precedes therapeutic meniscal work.
`29888`	Arthroscopically aided anterior cruciate ligament repair/augmentation or reconstruction	Performed in the same setting if an associated ligament reconstruction is required; typically billed separately with appropriate modifiers.

Related Modifiers

12 rows

Modifier	Description	When to Use
26	Modifier 26 (Professional Component) identifies and bills only the professional portion of a split service — the physician’s interpretation, report, and medical judgment — when the technical…	- Use CPT Modifier -26 when you are billing only the professional component (PC) of a split‑bill eligible service—i.e., you performed the physician interpretation, medical judgment and prepared a…
50	Modifier –50 (Bilateral Procedure) is appended to a CPT code when an identical procedure is performed on paired anatomical structures during the same operative session. The AMA states to add…	- Use modifier -50 when the same CPT surgical, diagnostic, or radiology procedure is performed on paired anatomical structures (both sides of the body) during the same operative/session by the same…
51	Modifier –51 (Multiple Procedures) is used when the same provider performs multiple procedures in the same session to identify secondary, non‑exempt procedures and indicate payment reduction logic…	- Use modifier -51 when the same provider performs multiple distinct procedures during the same patient encounter: report the highest‑valued procedure first (no modifier) and append -51 to…
52	Modifier ‑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…
53	Modifier 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…
59	Modifier 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…
62	Modifier 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…
63	Modifier‑63 is appended to surgical CPT codes (20000–69990) when a procedure is performed on a neonate or infant weighing ≤ 4 kg (about 8.8 lbs). The AMA/AAPC definition specifies this use and notes…	- Use modifier -63 only for surgical procedures in the CPT 20000–69990 series performed on a neonate or infant who weighs ≤ 4 kg at the time of the procedure; it indicates increased complexity due to…
76	Modifier -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…
78	CPT modifier -78 indicates an unplanned, related return to the operating or procedure room by the same provider during the global postoperative period. It is appended when treatment for a…	- Use modifier -78 when an unplanned, related complication during the original procedure’s global postoperative period requires the patient to return to a formal operating or procedure room and the…

Showing 1–10 of 12

Related Provider Taxonomies

8 rows

Taxonomy Code	Specialty	Notes
207L00000X	Anesthesiology Physician	An anesthesiologist is trained to provide pain relief and maintenance, or restoration, of a stable condition during and immediately following an opera…
2080P0208X	Pediatric Infectious Diseases Physician	A pediatrician trained to care for children in the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of infectious diseases. This specialist can apply specific know…
208800000X	Urology Physician	A urologist manages benign and malignant medical and surgical disorders of the genitourinary system and the adrenal gland. This specialist has compreh…
207RP1001X	Pulmonary Disease Physician	An internist who treats diseases of the lungs and airways. The pulmonologist diagnoses and treats cancer, pneumonia, pleurisy, asthma, occupational an…
2080P0203X	Pediatric Critical Care Medicine Physician	A pediatrician expert in advanced life support for children from the term or near-term neonate to the adolescent. This competence extends to the criti…
174200000X	Meals Provider	A public or privately owned facility providing meals to individuals traveling long distances or receiving prolonged outpatient medical services away f…
261QE0800X	Endoscopy Clinic/Center	Ambulatory Health Care Facilities · Clinic/Center
103TA0700X	Adult Development & Aging Psychologist	A psychologist who specializes in geropsychology, which applies the knowledge and methods of psychology to understanding and helping older persons and…

CPT 29800: Diagnostic Arthroscopy of Temporomandibular Joint

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

CPT 29804: Temporomandibular Joint Arthroscopy and Repair

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

CPT 29805: Arthroscopic Shoulder Examination with Synovial Biopsy

CPT-29806-ARTHROSCOPIC-SHOULDER-CAPSULE-REPAIR

CPT 29806: Arthroscopic Shoulder Joint Inspection with Capsule Repair

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

CPT 29807: Arthroscopic Repair of SLAP Lesion, Shoulder

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

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

CPT-29820-ARTHROSCOPIC-SHOULDER-SYNOVECTOMY

CPT 29820: Arthroscopic Synovectomy, Shoulder

CPT-29821-ARTHROSCOPIC-SHOULDER-SYNOVECTOMY

CPT 29821: Arthroscopic Shoulder Synovectomy

CPT-29822-SHOULDER-ARTHROSCOPY-LIMITED-DEBRIDEMENT

CPT 29822: Shoulder Arthroscopy with Limited Debridement

CPT-29823-ARTHROSCOPIC-SHOULDER-DEBRIDEMENT-EXTENSIVE-TISSUE-EXCISION

CPT 29823: Arthroscopic Shoulder Debridement, Extensive Intra-articular Excision

Showing 1–10 of 75

References

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.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.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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Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

Typical site of service: Ambulatory surgery center or hospital outpatient surgery department.

Service type: Surgical — arthroscopic operative procedure of the knee (minimally invasive orthopaedic surgery).

Related Diagnoses

ICD-10 Code	Description	Clinical Relevance
`S83.241A`	Complex tear of medial meniscus, current injury, right knee, initial encounter	Represents an acute or subacute medial meniscal tear commonly treated with arthroscopic partial meniscectomy.
`S83.242A`	Complex tear of lateral meniscus, current injury, right knee, initial encounter	Lateral meniscal tears that may require arthroscopic debridement or meniscectomy.
`M23.21`	Derangement of medial meniscus due to old tear or injury, right knee	Chronic meniscal derangement and mechanical symptoms often addressed with arthroscopy.
`M17.0`	Bilateral primary osteoarthritis of knee	Coexisting osteoarthritis may lead to chondroplasty or debridement at time of arthroscopy for symptomatic relief.
`M24.261`	Derangement of medial meniscus due to old tear or injury, right knee	Indicates chronic meniscal pathology that can be managed with arthroscopic intervention.
`M17.11`	Unilateral primary osteoarthritis, right knee	Osteoarthritic changes can coexist with meniscal tears; arthroscopic chondroplasty may be performed for symptomatic focal cartilage lesions.

Related CPT Codes

CPT Code	Description	Relationship to This Procedure
`29881`	Arthroscopy, knee, surgical; with meniscectomy (medial OR lateral including any meniscal shaving)	Alternative code when only a single-compartment meniscectomy is performed; used when coding compartment-specific meniscectomy distinct from combined medial and lateral.
`29882`	Arthroscopy, knee, surgical; with meniscal repair (medial OR lateral)	Used when repair (suturing) of the meniscus is performed instead of or in addition to meniscectomy.
`29879`	Arthroscopy, knee, surgical; synovectomy, limited	May be reported when focal synovial debridement is performed concurrently with meniscectomy.
`29877`	Arthroscopy, knee, surgical; debridement/shaving of articular cartilage (chondroplasty)	Reported when chondroplasty is the primary arthroscopic procedure; often reported in addition to meniscectomy if allowed by payer rules.
`29874`	Arthroscopy, knee, diagnostic, with or without synovial biopsy	Performed when diagnostic arthroscopy is primary or when inspection with limited procedures precedes therapeutic meniscal work.
`29888`	Arthroscopically aided anterior cruciate ligament repair/augmentation or reconstruction	Performed in the same setting if an associated ligament reconstruction is required; typically billed separately with appropriate modifiers.

Related Modifiers

12 rows

Modifier	Description	When to Use
26	Modifier 26 (Professional Component) identifies and bills only the professional portion of a split service — the physician’s interpretation, report, and medical judgment — when the technical…	- Use CPT Modifier -26 when you are billing only the professional component (PC) of a split‑bill eligible service—i.e., you performed the physician interpretation, medical judgment and prepared a…
50	Modifier –50 (Bilateral Procedure) is appended to a CPT code when an identical procedure is performed on paired anatomical structures during the same operative session. The AMA states to add…	- Use modifier -50 when the same CPT surgical, diagnostic, or radiology procedure is performed on paired anatomical structures (both sides of the body) during the same operative/session by the same…
51	Modifier –51 (Multiple Procedures) is used when the same provider performs multiple procedures in the same session to identify secondary, non‑exempt procedures and indicate payment reduction logic…	- Use modifier -51 when the same provider performs multiple distinct procedures during the same patient encounter: report the highest‑valued procedure first (no modifier) and append -51 to…
52	Modifier ‑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…
53	Modifier 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…
59	Modifier 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…
62	Modifier 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…
63	Modifier‑63 is appended to surgical CPT codes (20000–69990) when a procedure is performed on a neonate or infant weighing ≤ 4 kg (about 8.8 lbs). The AMA/AAPC definition specifies this use and notes…	- Use modifier -63 only for surgical procedures in the CPT 20000–69990 series performed on a neonate or infant who weighs ≤ 4 kg at the time of the procedure; it indicates increased complexity due to…
76	Modifier -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…
78	CPT modifier -78 indicates an unplanned, related return to the operating or procedure room by the same provider during the global postoperative period. It is appended when treatment for a…	- Use modifier -78 when an unplanned, related complication during the original procedure’s global postoperative period requires the patient to return to a formal operating or procedure room and the…

Showing 1–10 of 12

Related Provider Taxonomies

8 rows

Taxonomy Code	Specialty	Notes
207L00000X	Anesthesiology Physician	An anesthesiologist is trained to provide pain relief and maintenance, or restoration, of a stable condition during and immediately following an opera…
2080P0208X	Pediatric Infectious Diseases Physician	A pediatrician trained to care for children in the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of infectious diseases. This specialist can apply specific know…
208800000X	Urology Physician	A urologist manages benign and malignant medical and surgical disorders of the genitourinary system and the adrenal gland. This specialist has compreh…
207RP1001X	Pulmonary Disease Physician	An internist who treats diseases of the lungs and airways. The pulmonologist diagnoses and treats cancer, pneumonia, pleurisy, asthma, occupational an…
2080P0203X	Pediatric Critical Care Medicine Physician	A pediatrician expert in advanced life support for children from the term or near-term neonate to the adolescent. This competence extends to the criti…
174200000X	Meals Provider	A public or privately owned facility providing meals to individuals traveling long distances or receiving prolonged outpatient medical services away f…
261QE0800X	Endoscopy Clinic/Center	Ambulatory Health Care Facilities · Clinic/Center
103TA0700X	Adult Development & Aging Psychologist	A psychologist who specializes in geropsychology, which applies the knowledge and methods of psychology to understanding and helping older persons and…

CPT 29800: Diagnostic Arthroscopy of Temporomandibular Joint

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

CPT 29804: Temporomandibular Joint Arthroscopy and Repair

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

CPT 29805: Arthroscopic Shoulder Examination with Synovial Biopsy

CPT-29806-ARTHROSCOPIC-SHOULDER-CAPSULE-REPAIR

CPT 29806: Arthroscopic Shoulder Joint Inspection with Capsule Repair

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

CPT 29807: Arthroscopic Repair of SLAP Lesion, Shoulder

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

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

CPT-29820-ARTHROSCOPIC-SHOULDER-SYNOVECTOMY

CPT 29820: Arthroscopic Synovectomy, Shoulder

CPT-29821-ARTHROSCOPIC-SHOULDER-SYNOVECTOMY

CPT 29821: Arthroscopic Shoulder Synovectomy

CPT-29822-SHOULDER-ARTHROSCOPY-LIMITED-DEBRIDEMENT

CPT 29822: Shoulder Arthroscopy with Limited Debridement

CPT-29823-ARTHROSCOPIC-SHOULDER-DEBRIDEMENT-EXTENSIVE-TISSUE-EXCISION

CPT 29823: Arthroscopic Shoulder Debridement, Extensive Intra-articular Excision

Showing 1–10 of 75

References

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.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.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.

Published by

Trek Health powers OpenPayer with a leading commercial payer intelligence platform, seamlessly converting fragmented payer data into actionable insights for provider organizations.

OpenPayer

CPT 29880: Arthroscopic Meniscectomy of Knee with Possible Chondroplasty

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Billing Code Overview

OpenPayer

CPT 29880: Arthroscopic Meniscectomy of Knee with Possible Chondroplasty

Sign up for cpt 29880 policy alerts

Billing Code Overview

Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

Related Diagnoses

Related CPT Codes

Related Modifiers

Related Provider Taxonomies

Related Codes

References

Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

Related Diagnoses

Related CPT Codes

Related Modifiers

Related Provider Taxonomies

Related Codes

References