Chondroplasty question

Medicare Patient had a chondroplasty done in the medial and lateral compartments. Can I use 29877 for the medial and use add on code G0289 for the lateral?

Medicare condroplasty

The condroplasty in both compartments was the only procedure done. Pt was thought to have a torn meniscus but this wasn't the case after going in. Maybe this is a dumb question but any help would be appreciated

29877 and G0289 for chondroplasty in separate compartments

Corrected response:

You would report 29881 and G0289 for a Medicare patient who has a medial meniscectomy and a lateral chonroplasty in the same knee.

If just chondroplasties are performed in both the medial and lateral compartments, you would report code 29877.

A medial meniscectomy with chondroplasties in both the lateral and patellofemoral compartments would be reported with 29881, G0289 and G0289-59.


Original response (incorrect)
** Yes, it is appropriate to report 29877 and G0289 when a chondroplasty was performed in two separate compartments. **

29877 and G0289

HI
I did not receive the original question, but as I am reading this response, it appears that instruction is provided to report both 29877 and G0289 during the same operative session, same knee, different compartments. These 2 codes are not reportable together. The determination to use one or the other is payor specific. According to CPT, 29877 is only reportable one time per operative session.
Mary LeGrand, RN, MA, CCS-P, CPC
KarenZupko & Associates, Inc.

Correction on G0289 and 29877

I apologize. I mis-read the question. G0289 should be reported in place of 29877 for Medicare patients.

Examples: you would report 29881 and G0289 for a Medicare patient who has a medial meniscectomy and a lateral chonroplasty.
If just chondroplasties are performed in both the medial and lateral compartments, you would report code 29877.
A medial meniscectomy with chondroplasties in both the lateral and patellofemoral compartments would be reported with 29881, G0289 and G0289-59.

Sorry, I hope that clears up any confusion I caused.