29870 Arthrs knee diagnosis with wo syn biopsy
Also known as: diagnostic knee arthroscopy, diagnostic knee scope, knee arthroscopy with biopsy
Arthroscopy of the knee with diagnostic evaluation, with or without synovial biopsy for tissue examination.
In Plain Language
camera surgery to look at knee; taking sample from knee
Clinical Context
Used for knee pain evaluation, inflammatory arthropathy assessment, and diagnostic tissue sampling.
RVU Breakdown
| Work RVU | 5.06 |
| Total RVU | 5.06 |
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 5.06, this code ranks in the 34th percentile among Surgery codes — 1.6x below the median (8.00). The highest wRVU in this category is 106.19.
Specialties
Frequently Asked Questions
What is CPT code 29870?
CPT 29870 (Arthrs knee diagnosis with wo syn biopsy) is a Surgery code. Arthroscopy of the knee with diagnostic evaluation, with or without synovial biopsy for tissue examination.
What is the wRVU value for CPT 29870?
The work RVU for CPT 29870 is 5.06. This code is primarily used by Orthopedic Surgery, Rheumatology. It has a 90-day global period.
When is CPT 29870 used?
Used for knee pain evaluation, inflammatory arthropathy assessment, and diagnostic tissue sampling.
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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.