CPT 29881 · Other Procedure · Medicare (Palmetto GBA MAC)
Knee Arthroscopy — Meniscectomy (Medial OR Lateral) at Medicare (Palmetto GBA MAC).
How Medicare (Palmetto GBA MAC) approaches CPT 29881 (Knee Arthroscopy — Meniscectomy (Medial OR Lateral)) for prior-authorization review: at last review on 2026-05-03, the policy covers this code without prior authorization.
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Criteria summary
High-level themes from the Medicare (Palmetto GBA MAC) policy of record for CPT 29881. Verbatim policy text and per-criterion analysis are available after sign-in.
- At least 6 weeks of conservative care typically required.
- Imaging concordance documentation required.
Source: Palmetto GBA — No specific LCD; coverage by general Medicare medical-necessity rules
See the full Medicare (Palmetto GBA MAC) criteria.
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