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CPT 29881: Arthroscopic Knee Partial Meniscectomy
CPT code 29881 represents arthroscopic knee surgery for partial meniscectomy, a commonly performed procedure to remove a torn or damaged meniscus and, when needed, to reshape articular cartilage. This code is widely used in musculoskeletal care and matters nationally due to its volume, implications for surgical management of knee pain, and impact on outpatient surgical utilization. Key payers discussed include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find a concise explanation of the clinical context for 29881, comparisons to closely related arthroscopy codes, and an overview of common billing practices and documentation elements relevant to payers nationally. The publication highlights benchmark considerations for outpatient arthroscopic meniscectomy, typical sites of service, and the ICD-10 diagnostic contexts that commonly support medical necessity for the procedure. It also orients readers to associated procedural options such as meniscal repair or broader chondroplasty procedures, helping clinical and administrative audiences distinguish when 29881 is appropriate compared with related codes. Data not available in the input is noted where applicable.
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Billing Code Overview
CPT code 29881 describes an arthroscopic surgical procedure on the knee in which the surgeon inspects the joint interior with an arthroscope and removes the meniscus from either the medial or lateral compartment (partial meniscectomy). The procedure may include reshaping of the articular cartilage by excising or shaving tissue to smooth damaged surfaces. The goal of the procedure is to relieve pain and improve joint mobility.
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Service type: Arthroscopic knee surgery — partial meniscectomy with possible articular cartilage debridement
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Typical site of service: Ambulatory surgery center or hospital outpatient department
National Reimbursement Benchmarks
National means show a clear gap between Medicare and commercial averages: Medicare’s mean is $526.8 versus BUCA’s mean of $2,185.4, indicating BUCA reimbursements are roughly four times higher than Medicare for CPT 29881. Blue Cross Blue Shield and UnitedHealth Group also have elevated means ($3,183.9 and $990.4 respectively) that sit above Medicare, while Aetna and Cigna cluster closer to Medicare’s level.
Rate dispersion (P75−P25) highlights where commercial payments vary most. Blue Cross Blue Shield has the widest interquartile spread at $2,506.7, followed by BUCA at $1,691.6 and Aetna at $560.9. The tightest spreads are Cigna at $647.5 and Medicare at $47, indicating relatively consistent payment levels for those payers compared with larger commercial variability.