Summary & Overview

CPT 29883: Arthroscopic Repair of Medial and Lateral Menisci

CPT code 29883 represents arthroscopic repair of both the medial and lateral menisci of the knee. This minimally invasive orthopedic surgical service addresses torn crescent-shaped cartilage cushions to reduce pain and restore joint function. Nationally, meniscal repair procedures are a common component of sports and elective orthopedic surgery and have implications for surgical utilization, post-operative rehabilitation, and cost trends across payers. Key payers included in this analysis are Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare.

Readers will find a concise clinical context for CPT code 29883, an overview of typical sites of service and service line classification, and payer coverage considerations. The publication summarizes benchmark metrics where available, highlights recent policy or coding guidance that affects coverage and claims adjudication, and outlines common billing considerations associated with arthroscopic bilateral meniscal repair. Data not available in the input is noted where applicable.

AetnaBlue Cross Blue ShieldCigna HealthUnitedHealthcareMedicare29883CPTarthroscopymeniscal repairknee surgeryorthopedicsambulatory surgerysurgical procedureoutpatient

Billing Code Overview

CPT code 29883 describes an arthroscopic procedure in which the provider examines the interior of the knee joint with an arthroscope and repairs torn menisci in both the medial and lateral compartments. The procedure is intended to relieve pain and improve knee mobility by addressing crescent-shaped cartilage cushions (menisci).

Service type: Surgical arthroscopy with bilateral meniscal repair
Typical site of service: Ambulatory surgical center or hospital outpatient surgical department

Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

A 34-year-old recreational soccer player presents with persistent right knee pain, intermittent swelling, and mechanical catching after a twisting injury six weeks prior. Physical exam demonstrates joint line tenderness and a positive McMurray test. MRI confirms complex tears of both the medial and lateral menisci without full-thickness chondral loss. Conservative therapy including activity modification, anti-inflammatory medication, and a course of physical therapy produced incomplete relief. The orthopedic surgeon schedules arthroscopic knee surgery under general or regional anesthesia.

The procedure performed is an arthroscopic partial meniscectomy/repair of both the medial and lateral menisci (29883). The operative workflow includes preoperative evaluation and informed consent, anesthesia administration, sterile arthroscopic portal placement, diagnostic arthroscopy of the knee compartments, meniscal inspection, trimming or repair of torn meniscal tissue in the medial and lateral compartments, hemostasis, and closure. Postoperative care includes recovery room monitoring, discharge instructions for weight-bearing status and rehabilitation, and scheduled follow-up for wound check and progressive physical therapy to restore range of motion and strength.

Coding Specifications

Modifier	Description	When to Use
`51`	Multiple procedures	When `29883` is billed in addition to another unrelated procedure on the same day by the same provider.
`59`	Distinct procedural service	When a separate, distinct procedure unrelated to the arthroscopy is performed at a different site or session on the same day.
`52`	Reduced services	When the procedure is partially reduced or not completed as originally planned.
`53`	Discontinued procedure	When the procedure is started but then terminated due to patient instability or intraoperative complication.
`78`	Unplanned return to OR for related procedure by same physician	When the patient returns to the operating room during the global period for a complication related to the initial meniscal procedure.
`79`	Unrelated procedure or service by same physician during the postoperative period	When an unrelated procedure is performed during the global period.
`62`	Two surgeons	When two surgeons work together as primary surgeons performing distinct portions of the procedure.
`66`	Surgical team	When a surgical team (multiple surgeons with defined roles) performs the operative service.
`LT`	Left side	To indicate the procedure was performed on the left knee.
`RT`	Right side	To indicate the procedure was performed on the right knee.
`AS`	Ambulatory surgical center	When the service is furnished in an ambulatory surgical center setting.
`26`	Professional component	If documenting a separate professional component apart from a technical component (rare for arthroscopy; typically not used alone for operative services).
`22`	Increased procedural services	If the service requires substantially greater effort, documented and justified with supporting operative note.
`53`	Discontinued procedure	(Listed for emphasis) When aborted before completion due to patient condition or unexpected findings.

Taxonomy Code	Specialty	Notes
207L00000X	Orthopaedic Surgery	Primary specialty performing knee arthroscopy and meniscal repair/meniscectomy.
2080P0207X	Sports Medicine (Family Medicine)	Sports medicine physicians who perform arthroscopic knee procedures.
207K00000X	Orthopedic Sports Medicine	Subspecialty focused on knee injuries and arthroscopy.
207V00000X	Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation	Often involved in pre- and post-operative nonoperative management and rehabilitation planning.

Related Diagnoses

ICD-10 Code	Description	Clinical Relevance
`M23.21`	Derangement of medial meniscus due to old tear or injury, right knee	Represents chronic or recurrent medial meniscal tear indicating arthroscopic repair or meniscectomy.
`M23.22`	Derangement of medial meniscus due to old tear or injury, left knee	As above for the left knee.
`M23.31`	Derangement of lateral meniscus due to old tear or injury, right knee	Represents chronic lateral meniscal pathology treated with arthroscopy.
`M23.32`	Derangement of lateral meniscus due to old tear or injury, left knee	As above for the left knee.
`S83.241A`	Complex tear of medial meniscus, current injury, right knee, initial encounter	Acute meniscal tear coding for recent injuries leading to arthroscopy.
`S83.242A`	Complex tear of lateral meniscus, current injury, right knee, initial encounter	Acute lateral meniscus tear prompting surgical intervention.
`M17.11`	Unilateral primary osteoarthritis, right knee	Osteoarthritic changes can coexist with meniscal pathology and influence surgical decision-making.
`M17.12`	Unilateral primary osteoarthritis, left knee	As above for left knee.

Related CPT Codes

CPT Code	Description	Relationship to This Procedure
`29881`	Arthroscopy, knee, surgical; with meniscectomy (medial OR lateral, including any meniscal shaving)	Performed when only one meniscus (medial or lateral) is treated; `29883` is billed when both compartments are addressed.
`29882`	Arthroscopy, knee, surgical; with meniscus repair (medial OR lateral)	Used when primary procedure is repair of a single meniscus; repairs on both sides may be reported with `29883` when both compartments are repaired.
`29884`	Arthroscopy, knee, surgical; with lateral meniscus repair	Used when lateral meniscus repair is performed (often paired with medial repair depending on documentation).
`29870`	Arthroscopy, knee, diagnostic, with or without synovial biopsy	Used when diagnostic arthroscopy is performed without therapeutic meniscal procedure; often billed if no meniscal intervention is done.
`29888`	Arthroscopically aided anterior cruciate ligament repair/augmentation or reconstruction	May be performed during the same operative episode if ligamentous injury is also addressed; documentation must support additional procedures.