Billing and Coding: Arthroscopic Lavage and Arthroscopic Debridement for the Osteoarthritic Knee â Medical Policy Article
J6 · Effective Apr 1, 2026
1 active Medicare policy lists 29877, and 15 commercial payer policies list it. See each policy's status for the code and its official source. Listing a code is not a coverage decision: read each policy’s source for the requirements that apply.
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15 policies from 13 payers
Summary of the payer’s published policy. Not a coverage determination — confirm with the payer before submitting.
| Policy | Effective | Status of 29877 |
|---|---|---|
| Joint Surgery | Nov 15, 2025 | Covered |
| Joint Surgery [for Anthem BCBS Ohio Medicaid] | Nov 17, 2024 | Covered |
| Policy | Effective | Status of 29877 |
|---|---|---|
| Cigna Commercial Joint Surgery Code List | Mar 7, 2026 | Prior auth required |
| Cigna Comprehensive Code List | Mar 7, 2026 |
| Prior auth required |
| Policy | Effective | Status of 29877 |
|---|---|---|
| Knee Arthroscopy / Osteoarthritis of the Knee | Nov 21, 2023 | Covered |
| Policy | Effective | Status of 29877 |
|---|---|---|
| Autologous Chondrocyte Implantation (ACI) for Focal Articular Cartilage Lesions | Dec 15, 2025 | Covered |
| Policy | Effective | Status of 29877 |
|---|---|---|
| Autologous Chondrocyte Implantation (ACI) for Focal Articular Cartilage Lesions | Dec 15, 2025 | Covered |
| Policy | Effective | Status of 29877 |
|---|---|---|
| Autologous Chondrocyte Implantation (ACI) for Focal Articular Cartilage Lesions | Dec 15, 2025 | Covered |
| Policy | Effective | Status of 29877 |
|---|---|---|
| Autologous Chondrocyte Implantation (ACI) for Focal Articular Cartilage Lesions | Dec 15, 2025 | Covered |
| Policy | Effective | Status of 29877 |
|---|---|---|
| Cigna Commercial & Medicare Advantage Joint Surgery Code List | Jan 1, 2026 | Prior auth required |
| Policy | Effective | Status of 29877 |
|---|---|---|
| EOCCO Joint Surgery Code List | May 1, 2026 | Prior auth required |
| Policy | Effective | Status of 29877 |
|---|---|---|
| Surgery of the Knee | Sep 10, 2026 | Covered |
| Policy | Effective | Status of 29877 |
|---|---|---|
| The Health Plan MSK Joint Code List | Jan 1, 2026 | Prior auth required |
| Policy | Effective | Status of 29877 |
|---|---|---|
| Surgery of the Knee | Sep 10, 2026 | Covered |
| Policy | Effective | Status of 29877 |
|---|---|---|
| Surgery of the Knee | Sep 10, 2026 | Covered |