Knee arthroscopy/surgery

What is CPT Code 29880?

Arthroscopic knee surgery with meniscectomy of both the medial and lateral compartments. Billed when torn cartilage is removed from both sides of the knee during the same surgical session.

The Medicare reimbursement rate shown above is the amount the federal government has determined is a reasonable payment for this service. Hospitals and providers that participate in Medicare have agreed to accept these rates from Medicare patients.

Who typically bills this:Orthopedic surgeon + outpatient surgery center or hospital facility

Common Billing Errors for CPT 29880

• !Billed instead of 29881 when only one compartment was operated on
• !Two separate meniscectomy codes submitted for what was a single arthroscopic session
• !Arthroscopic shaving (chondroplasty) billed as a separate code when bundled with meniscectomy

Red Flags on Your Bill

Negotiation Tips for CPT 29880

1. 1Request the operative report — it should explicitly describe work in both medial and lateral compartments to justify 29880 over 29881
2. 2The facility fee at a hospital outpatient department can be 2–3x the same procedure at an ASC
3. 3Negotiate the implant and supply costs (anchors, sutures) if listed separately

Codes That Often Appear With This One

These CPT codes commonly appear on the same bill. Review each one to spot potential bundling errors or duplicate charges.

Found CPT 29880 on Your Bill?

If you see CPT code 29880 on a hospital or medical bill, compare the charged amount to the Medicare rate above. If your bill shows a significantly higher charge, you may have grounds to negotiate.

1. Note the amount charged for CPT 29880 on your itemized bill
2. Compare it to the Medicare rate above — calculate the markup
3. Call the billing department and use the Medicare rate as your anchor:“I see CPT code 29880 billed at [amount]. The Medicare rate for this procedure is $574.05. I'd like to discuss a fair adjustment.”