Knee arthroscopy/surgery

What is CPT Code 29881?

Arthroscopic knee surgery with meniscectomy (partial or complete removal of torn meniscus). A common minimally invasive knee surgery performed for meniscal tears, typically as an outpatient procedure.

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 29881

• !Additional arthroscopic procedures (chondroplasty, synovectomy) bundled into 29881 but billed separately
• !29880 (medial and lateral meniscectomy) billed when only one compartment was treated
• !Anesthesia separately billed by an independent anesthesiologist at full rate

Red Flags on Your Bill

Negotiation Tips for CPT 29881

1. 1Outpatient surgery centers (ASCs) typically charge 40–60% less than hospital outpatient departments for the same arthroscopic procedure
2. 2Request the operative report to verify only the procedures actually performed are billed
3. 3Anesthesia is almost always a separate bill — negotiate it separately with the anesthesia group

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 29881 on Your Bill?

If you see CPT code 29881 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 29881 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 29881 billed at [amount]. The Medicare rate for this procedure is $553.58. I'd like to discuss a fair adjustment.”