29850 Knee arthroscopy/surgery
Also known as: knee arthroscopy, knee scope, diagnostic knee arthroscopy
Arthroscopy of the knee joint with diagnostic evaluation and examination of intra-articular structures.
In Plain Language
camera surgery of knee; looking inside knee
Clinical Context
Indicated for knee pain, effusion, meniscal tears, and diagnostic evaluation of degenerative or inflammatory knee pathology.
RVU Breakdown
| Work RVU | 8.06 |
| Total RVU | 8.06 |
Est. Medicare Payment
National estimate based on 2026 CMS PFS Conversion Factor ($33.40). Actual payment varies by locality (GPCI adjustment).
Billing & Documentation
As a surgical CPT code, proper documentation must include the operative report detailing the procedure performed, patient positioning, approach, findings, and any complications. This code has a 90-day global period, which includes the day of the procedure, 1 day preoperative, and 90 days of postoperative care. Ensure the diagnosis code (ICD-10) supports medical necessity for the procedure.
How This Code Compares
With a work RVU of 8.06, this code ranks in the 50th percentile among Surgery codes — 1.0x the median (8.00). The highest wRVU in this category is 106.19.
Specialties
Frequently Asked Questions
What is CPT code 29850?
CPT 29850 (Knee arthroscopy/surgery) is a Surgery code. Arthroscopy of the knee joint with diagnostic evaluation and examination of intra-articular structures.
What is the wRVU value for CPT 29850?
The work RVU for CPT 29850 is 8.06. This code is primarily used by Orthopedic Surgery, Sports Medicine. It has a 90-day global period.
When is CPT 29850 used?
Indicated for knee pain, effusion, meniscal tears, and diagnostic evaluation of degenerative or inflammatory knee pathology.
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CPT® is a registered trademark of the American Medical Association. Data sourced from CMS Physician Fee Schedule RVU26A. Descriptions, synonyms, and clinical context are original content by RVU Edge.