29866 Autgrft implant knee with scope
Also known as: autograft knee, osteochondral autograft, OATS procedure, mosaicplasty
Arthroscopy of the knee with implantation of autologous cartilage graft (osteochondral autograft) for chondral defect repair.
In Plain Language
transplanting cartilage from own body; using own cartilage to fix knee
Clinical Context
Indicated for traumatic osteochondral defects and symptomatic cartilage lesions in younger patients with good cartilage donor sites.
RVU Breakdown
| Work RVU | 14.30 |
| Total RVU | 14.30 |
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 14.30, this code ranks in the 71st percentile among Surgery codes — 1.8x the median (8.00). The highest wRVU in this category is 106.19.
Specialties
Frequently Asked Questions
What is CPT code 29866?
CPT 29866 (Autgrft implant knee with scope) is a Surgery code. Arthroscopy of the knee with implantation of autologous cartilage graft (osteochondral autograft) for chondral defect repair.
What is the wRVU value for CPT 29866?
The work RVU for CPT 29866 is 14.30. This code is primarily used by Orthopedic Surgery, Sports Medicine. It has a 90-day global period.
When is CPT 29866 used?
Indicated for traumatic osteochondral defects and symptomatic cartilage lesions in younger patients with good cartilage donor sites.
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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.