Arthroscopy, knee, surgical; with removal of loose body or foreign body (eg, osteochondritis dissecans fragmentation, acute meniscal fragment)
Audit Defense & Denial Intelligence
Research-based denial patterns from OrbDoc Bill Analyzer
1. Arthroscopy drilling for OCD without documented osteochondritis dissecans lesion
Occasional29885 (arthroscopy knee, drilling for osteochondritis dissecans with bone grafting) requires documented OCD lesion with drilling/microfracture procedure. Denied when chondral defect without OCD billed as OCD, or when drilling not clearly documented. Must show unstable OCD lesion, drilling performed, grafting if applicable.
Common Causes
- • Chondral defect (not OCD) treated with microfracture - should use different code
- • OCD lesion stable, not drilled - diagnostic scope or debridement only
- • Documentation states 'drilling performed' without describing OCD lesion
Resolution Strategy
Document OCD lesion and treatment: 'Arthroscopic examination revealed osteochondritis dissecans lesion medial femoral condyle, 2cm diameter, partially detached. Lesion prepared by removing unstable cartilage and subchondral bone. Multiple drill holes created to stimulate healing (microfracture technique). Bone graft placed.' Must clearly identify OCD (not simple chondral defect), document drilling/microfracture, note grafting if performed. If routine cartilage defect without OCD, use appropriate chondroplasty code.
Relative Value Units (RVUs)
Calculator →
Clinical Information
When to Use
For arthroscopic removal of loose body, foreign body, or acute meniscal fragment from knee joint
Common Scenarios
Documentation Requirements
- Location of loose/foreign body
- Size and composition of fragment
- Removal technique
- Articular surface assessment
- Any other pathology identified
Coding Guidelines
Common Modifiers
Bundling Rules
- Includes arthroscopic visualization
- Includes fragment removal and specimen
Exclusions
- Meniscectomy uses separate codes
- Chondral restoration uses different codes
- Multiple fragments billed once
Coding Notes
Clinical scenarios
- Location of loose/foreign body
- Size and composition of fragment
- Removal technique
- Location of loose/foreign body
- Size and composition of fragment
- Removal technique
- Location of loose/foreign body
- Size and composition of fragment
- Removal technique
Who are you?
Code Details
Medicare Pricing
PFSRVU Breakdown
OPPS Details
Automate Coding
Let OrbDoc AI automatically suggest codes from your clinical notes.
Patient? Check your bill.
Use our free analyzer to understand charges and spot errors.
Analyze My BillAsk OrbDoc AI
Get instant answers about 29885 - pricing, bundling rules, or billing questions.
Ask a QuestionFrequently Asked Questions
CPT 29885 is the billing code for "Arthroscopy, knee, surgical; with removal of loose body or foreign body (eg, osteochondritis dissecans fragmentation, acute meniscal fragment)". For arthroscopic removal of loose body, foreign body, or acute meniscal fragment from knee joint
Medicare pays approximately $751.09 for CPT 29885 (national average). Actual payment varies by geographic location due to GPCI adjustments. Hospital and commercial insurance rates are typically 2-4x higher than Medicare rates.
CPT 29885 has a total RVU of 13.84, broken down as: Work RVU 6.23, Practice Expense RVU 7.02, and Malpractice RVU 0.59. RVUs (Relative Value Units) determine Medicare reimbursement rates.
The most common denial reason for CPT 29885 is "Arthroscopy drilling for OCD without documented osteochondritis dissecans lesion". 29885 (arthroscopy knee, drilling for osteochondritis dissecans with bone grafting) requires documented OCD lesion with drilling/microfracture procedure. Denied when chondral defect without OCD billed as OCD, or when drilling not clearly documented. Must show unstable OCD lesion, drilling performed, grafting if applicable. Common causes include: Chondral defect (not OCD) treated with microfracture - should use different code; OCD lesion stable, not drilled - diagnostic scope or debridement only. Appeal success rate is approximately 40-60%.
Key documentation requirements for CPT 29885 include: Location of loose/foreign body; Size and composition of fragment; Removal technique; Articular surface assessment. Missing or incomplete documentation is a leading cause of claim denials for this code.
Bundling considerations for CPT 29885: Includes arthroscopic visualization. Includes fragment removal and specimen Use an NCCI bundling checker to verify specific code combinations before billing.
Common modifiers for CPT 29885 include: 76 (Repeat procedure by same physician), 77 (Repeat procedure by different physician), 50 (Bilateral if both knees). Modifiers indicate special circumstances and can affect reimbursement or prevent claim denials.
The typical time requirement for CPT 29885 is 45-60 minutes typical procedure time. Time-based codes require documentation of the actual time spent providing the service.