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The rule has changed the Relative Value Unit amount for arthroscopic meniscectomy medial and lateral (CPT 29880) from 20.14 to 16.85, a 16 percent decrease. Total RVUs for arthroscopic meniscectomy medial or lateral (CPT 29881) was also altered from 18.82 to 16.16, a 14 percent decrease.
Descriptors for both codes also changed to include chondroplasty when performed at the same time, according to the report. CMS made these changes partially due to a survey conducted by AAOS and other professional societies, which found previous RVUs were much longer than the codes estimated.
Despite the decrease in RVUs for these procedures, there is still a significant amount of value in performing them because “skin-to-skin” time has decreased by 39 percent to 44 percent, according to the report.
Related Article on Orthopedic Surgery:
AAOS: Coding Guidance for Hand Procedures
5 Updates on Debridement Coding
Surgery Center Coding Guidance: X-Stop Procedure
