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29881 CPT Code: Arthroscopic Medial/Lateral Meniscectomy

Last Updated: December 6, 2025

CPT 29881 (Arthroscopy, knee, surgical; with meniscectomy, medial OR lateral) is one of the most common sports medicine procedures billed.

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2026 Medicare National Fee (29881): Non-Facility (Office): $609.02 · Facility (Hospital): $609.02

29881 vs 29880

The code selection depends entirely on the compartments involved:

  • 29881: The surgeon repairs ONLY the medial meniscus OR ONLY the lateral meniscus.
  • 29880: The surgeon repairs BOTH the medial AND lateral meniscus during the same session.

Medical Necessity & Chondroplasty

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Code 29881 inherently includes chondroplasty (29877) if performed in the same compartment. Do not bill 29877 separately. If chondroplasty is performed in a completely separate compartment, you can bill it using the G-code G0289 for Medicare.

NCCI Edits

As always with surgical scopes, the diagnostic scope (29870) is bundled and cannot be billed.

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