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    OpenPayerBilling CodesEndoscopy/Arthroscopy Procedures on the Musculoskeletal SystemCPT cpt-29891-ankle-arthroscopy-cartilage-defect-repair-microfracture
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    CPT 29891: Ankle Arthroscopy with Chondral Defect Debridement and Microfracture

    Medicare pays $648 on average nationally for this procedure.

    CPT code 29891 describes an ankle arthroscopy procedure in which the provider inspects the joint with an arthroscope, excises a chondral defect on the talus or tibia, and performs microfracture (drilling of the underlying bone) to stimulate repair; service type: operative arthroscopy for cartilage repair; typical site of service: hospital outpatient department or ambulatory surgery center.

    For related coverage guidance, see recent payer policy updates: Intravenous Anesthetics for the Treatment of Chronic Pain and Psychiatric or Substance Use Disorders, Intravenous Anesthetics for the Treatment of Chronic Pain and Psychiatric or Substance Use Disorders, Intravenous Anesthetics for the Treatment of Chronic Pain and Psychiatric or Substance Use Disorders.

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    Table of contents

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    Clinical & Coding Specifications

    Clinical Context

    A 28-year-old recreational soccer player presents with persistent medial ankle pain and mechanical symptoms six months after an inversion injury. MRI demonstrates a focal full-thickness osteochondral lesion of the talar dome with a loose cartilage fragment and subchondral bone edema. Conservative care including activity modification, immobilization, NSAIDs, and physical therapy has failed. The patient is scheduled for an arthroscopic ankle procedure under general or regional anesthesia where the surgeon will visualize the joint with an arthroscope, perform debridement and excision of unstable cartilage, and perform microfracture drilling of the exposed subchondral bone to stimulate fibrocartilaginous repair. Typical workflow: preoperative evaluation and anesthesia clearance; operating room arthroscopy of the ankle (sterile setup, portal placement, diagnostic survey); targeted chondroplasty and excision of unstable fragments; microfracture or drilling of the lesion; hemostasis, portal closure, sterile dressing and immobilization; postoperative instructions with protected weight-bearing and outpatient physical therapy. Typical site of service is an ambulatory surgical center or hospital outpatient department. The service type is an arthroscopic operative procedure of the ankle joint for cartilage repair and stimulation of marrow repair (microfracture).

    Related CPT Codes

    CPT CodeDescriptionRelationship to This Procedure
    29877Arthroscopy, ankle, surgical; synovectomy, limitedPerformed when synovial debridement is needed in addition to cartilage work; may be billed in same session if distinct.
    29879Arthroscopy, ankle, surgical; with removal of loose or foreign bodyUsed when extraction of loose osteochondral fragments is a primary component alongside microfracture.
    20610Arthrocentesis, aspiration and/or injection, major joint or bursa (eg, shoulder) — without imaging guidanceNot typical for intraoperative use but listed as common joint injection CPT; pre- or postoperative injections use other specific codes; Data not available in the input.
    29305Manipulation, ankle and/or foot; without anesthesiaMay be used in related perioperative management for range-of-motion procedures, rarely concurrent.
    99024Postoperative follow-up visit global periodUsed to report related postoperative global care services during the global period of 29891 when applicable.

    Related Modifiers

    12 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…
    23Modifier -23 (Unusual Anesthesia) is used on anesthesia service CPT codes when a procedure that normally requires no anesthesia or only local anesthesia must be performed under general anesthesia…- Use modifier -23 only on anesthesia CPT codes (00100–01999) when a procedure that normally requires no anesthesia or only local anesthesia must be performed under general anesthesia because of…
    26Modifier 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…
    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…
    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…
    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 12

    Related Provider Taxonomies

    8 rows

    Taxonomy CodeSpecialtyNotes
    207X00000XOrthopaedic Surgery PhysicianAn orthopaedic surgeon is trained in the preservation, investigation and restoration of the form and function of the extremities, spine and associated…
    2080P0207XPediatric Hematology & Oncology PhysicianA pediatrician trained in the combination of pediatrics, hematology and oncology to recognize and manage pediatric blood disorders and cancerous disea…
    1223X0008XOral and Maxillofacial Radiology DentistryThe specialty of dentistry and discipline of radiology concerned with the production and interpretation of images and data produced by all modalities …
    320700000XPhysical Disabilities Residential Treatment FacilityA residential facility that provides habilitation services and other care and treatment to adults or children diagnosed with physical disabilities and…
    2084E0001XEpilepsy PhysicianEpilepsy is a subspecialty of neurology focused on the diagnosis and treatment of patients with epilepsy, including new-onset, medically refractory ep…
    2081N0008XNeuromuscular Medicine (Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation) PhysicianA physician who specializes in neuromuscular medicine possesses specialized knowledge in the science, clinical evaluation and management of these diso…
    207RH0005XHypertension Specialist PhysicianA Hypertension Specialist is a physician who concentrates on all aspects of the diagnosis and treatment of hypertension.
    103TH0100XHealth Service PsychologistA psychologist, certified/licensed at the independent practice level in his/her state, who is duly trained and experienced in the delivery of direct, …

    Related ICD-10-CM Codes

    17 rows

    ICD-10-CM CodeDescription
    M17.9Osteoarthritis of knee, unspecified
    M19.071Primary osteoarthritis, right ankle and foot
    M24.171Other articular cartilage disorders, right ankle
    M24.271Disorder of ligament, right ankle
    M25.469Effusion, unspecified knee
    M25.472Effusion, left ankle
    M25.571Pain in right ankle and joints of right foot
    M25.771Osteophyte, right ankle
    M65.4Radial styloid tenosynovitis [de Quervain]
    M67.871Other specified disorders of synovium, right ankle and foot

    Showing 1–10 of 17

    Related Payer Policy Updates

    Specialty: Anesthesiology1 / 3

    9 rows

    PolicyPayerEffective Date
    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
    Mm_0579_Coveragepositioncriteria_Anesthesia_Services_Selected_Nerve_BlocksCigna2026-05-15
    Intravenous Anesthetics for the Treatment of Chronic Pain and Psychiatric DisordersBlue Cross Blue Shield - North Carolina2026-04-01

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

    CPT 29823: Arthroscopic Shoulder Extensive Excision/Debridement

    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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