CPT
23472 — Arthroplasty, glenohumeral joint; total shoulder
Verify the code matches the actual service and dose.
Surgery & procedures
29888 — Arthroscopy, knee, surgical; with ACL repair/augmentation or reconstruction
This code covers arthroscopic ACL reconstruction surgery, in which the torn anterior cruciate ligament is replaced with a tendon graft (from the patient's own body or a donor).
- Typical setting: Hospital OR, ASC
- National avg charge (illustrative): $1,100-$2,200 Medicare allowed for surgeon professional fee (total ASC/hospital charges: $15,000-$30,000+)
- Most-disputed reason: Billing 29888 and 29881 together without proper modifier: if both ACL reconstruction and meniscectomy are performed at the same operative session, modifier -51 or specific NCCI modifier may be required depending on payer
What it means
What 29888 actually means
This code covers arthroscopic ACL reconstruction surgery, in which the torn anterior cruciate ligament is replaced with a tendon graft (from the patient's own body or a donor). ACL tears are common sports injuries and this arthroscopic approach is the standard of care. The 90-day global period includes routine follow-up and early physical therapy coordination.
Common errors with this code
What goes wrong on real bills.
Most bills that look correct still contain at least one of these issues. Up to 49% of medical bills contain errors (CFPB).
- Billing 29888 and 29881 together without proper modifier: if both ACL reconstruction and meniscectomy are performed at the same operative session, modifier -51 or specific NCCI modifier may be required depending on payer
- Graft harvest separate billing: some surgeons attempt to bill separately for harvesting the patellar tendon or hamstring graft — this is typically included in 29888 and should not be unbundled
- Implant and hardware billing: patients should verify that anchors and interference screws are included in the facility fee and not separately itemized as additional charges
If you see 29888 on your bill
Three steps before paying.
1. Get the itemized bill. If your statement only shows a summary, request the CPT-level itemized bill before paying. Generate the request language →
2. Cross-check against the EOB. Compare what your insurer's Explanation of Benefits says you owe versus what the hospital is asking. They disagree more often than people think. Read the bill-vs-EOB guide →
3. Run a free Bill Scan. Upload the bill (and EOB if you have it) and BillBusted will flag the most likely issues with this specific code in your specific state. Run free scan →
Related codes
Other codes in this category.
People who land on 29888 often also see these adjacent codes on the same bill.
CPT
27130 — Total hip replacement (arthroplasty)
Same scrutiny as knee replacement — verify all providers in-network.
CPT
27447 — Total knee replacement (arthroplasty)
Big-ticket surgery — verify all providers were in-network.
CPT
27486 — Revision of total knee arthroplasty, one component
Verify the code matches the actual service and dose.
CPT
29881 — Arthroscopy, knee, surgical; with meniscectomy
Verify the code matches the actual service and dose.
Related BillBusted guides
Plain-English reads if you see 29888 on a bill.
29888 FAQ
Plain-English answers.
What does 29888 usually cost?
$1,100-$2,200 Medicare allowed for surgeon professional fee (total ASC/hospital charges: $15,000-$30,000+). Costs vary by region, payer contract, and whether the service was performed in a hospital outpatient department (which adds a facility fee) versus a free-standing clinic.
What's the most common billing error on 29888?
Billing 29888 and 29881 together without proper modifier: if both ACL reconstruction and meniscectomy are performed at the same operative session, modifier -51 or specific NCCI modifier may be required depending on payer
What should I do if I see 29888 on my bill?
Request the itemized bill and the matching EOB from your insurer. Compare the units/quantity billed against what you actually received. Run a free BillBusted scan to flag the most likely errors specific to 29888 before paying.
Don't pay 29888 blindly.
The free scan tells you in under 60 seconds whether this charge looks reasonable for your situation.