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CPT code 29870: Knee arthroscopy, diagnostic, with or without biopsy2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Houston, TX

Reports arthroscopic inspection of the knee for diagnostic purposes, including an optional synovial biopsy when tissue sampling is part of the evaluation.

CMS RVU26DEffective Oct 1, 2026One payment locality352 Medicare services in 2024

In Houston, TX, Medicare pays $614.38 for 29870 in the office and $412.72 when it’s performed in a hospital or facility.

$614.38Office (non-facility)
$412.72Hospital or facility
+1.9%vs the national office rate ($602.89)

Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 29870 nationwide

Medicare allowed amount for participating (non-QP) physicians, before deductible, coinsurance and claim adjustments. Not a patient’s bill or a hospital charge.

We’ll open 29870 for the payment locality that covers the ZIP.

On this page 11 sections
  1. Rate in Houston, TX
  2. What 29870 covers
  3. Compared with other areas
  4. Rate map
  5. How it’s calculated
  6. Payment rules
  7. Related codes
  8. Rate history
  9. Where it applies
  10. Billing questions
  11. Sources

What 29870 covers

The orthopedic surgeon examines the knee joint through an arthroscope to evaluate an unresolved problem, such as persistent pain or suspected intra-articular disease. The surgeon may also take a synovial tissue sample for laboratory examination. This service is typically performed in an operating room or ambulatory surgery setting when imaging, examination, or other evaluation has not established the diagnosis.

Select this code when the arthroscopy is diagnostic, with or without synovial biopsy, rather than a therapeutic arthroscopic procedure. The operative report should support the diagnostic purpose, document the areas examined and findings, and describe any biopsy. CMS assigns a 90-day global period, including the day-before preoperative visit and 90 days of related postoperative care. For multiple procedures in one session, the highest-valued procedure is paid in full and others at 50%. Bilateral reporting with modifier 50 is paid at 150%. Assistant-at-surgery payment is restricted; co-surgeons are paid only with supporting documentation, and team surgery is not permitted.

This summary was written with AI assistance from CMS physician fee schedule data and checked against the CMS billing rules shown here. Rates on this page come directly from CMS files.

How Houston, TX compares for 29870

Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 29870 runs from $529.87 in Arkansas to $782.08 in San Benito County, CA. Houston, TX pays $614.38. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

29870 in Houston, TX vs other payment areas
  1. Houston, TX · this page$614.38
  2. Austin, TX · Texas$622.47+$8.09
  3. Beaumont, TX · Texas$564.49−$49.89
  4. Brazoria, TX · Texas$593.07−$21.31
  5. Dallas, TX · Texas$597.92−$16.46
  6. Fort Worth, TX · Texas$594.38−$20.00
  7. Galveston, TX · Texas$595.52−$18.86

Other areas in Texas first, then benchmark localities. Bars start at $0.

Every other payment area

29870 in every other Medicare payment locality
Payment localityOfficeFacility
Rest of TexasTexas$579.18$386.46
Los Angeles, CACalifornia$671.36$431.12
Washington, DC areaDistrict of Columbia$687.01$447.78
Miami, FLFlorida$671.87$460.46
Chicago, ILIllinois$650.62$446.53
Manhattan, NYNew York$698.58$462.60
AlaskaAlaska$697.91$481.63
AlabamaAlabama$538.02$360.33

29870 rates by state

Office rate range in each state. Select a state to see its payment localities.

MEWIVTNHMTNDMNMINYMARIWAIDWYSDIAILINOHPANJCTORNVUTCONEMOKYWVVAMDDECAAZNMKSOKARTNNCSCDCTXLAMSALGAFLAKHI

Explore a state

Local rates. Clear comparisons.

Hover or focus a tile to see its rate range. Select it to open the state’s fee schedule.

$529.87

$705.12

Color shows the midpoint of each state’s locality range.

View every state and territory as a table
29870 office rate range by state
State / territoryOffice rate rangeLocalities
AK$697.911
AL$538.021
AR$529.871
AZ$585.551
CA$628.15–$782.0829
CO$622.951
CT$644.251
DC$687.011
DE$595.461
FL$602.61–$671.873
GA$566.35–$616.702
GU$643.131
HI$643.131
IA$548.191
ID$552.801
IL$587.50–$650.624
IN$556.041
KS$547.471
KY$555.621
LA$555.50–$584.002
MA$619.78–$683.532
MD$606.55–$687.013
ME$557.92–$586.602
MI$572.57–$612.512
MN$590.251
MO$546.86–$583.783
MS$538.381
MT$602.821
NC$563.701
ND$582.451
NE$550.731
NH$614.961
NJ$649.74–$679.792
NM$576.641
NV$597.541
NY$572.69–$718.695
OH$568.411
OK$552.471
OR$591.07–$641.122
PA$568.24–$628.952
PR$606.761
RI$615.561
SC$567.371
SD$580.041
TN$550.611
TX$564.49–$622.478
UT$575.411
VA$585.98–$687.012
VI$606.761
VT$581.901
WA$618.03–$695.722
WI$562.301
WV$565.381
WY$593.941

See 29870 in every payment locality

How the 29870 rate is calculated

Each of 29870’s three RVUs is multiplied by a geographic index (GPCI) for the payment locality, added up, and multiplied by the conversion factor. Drag the indexes or enter a ZIP to see what moves the rate.

How the rate is built · 29870

RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor

Office or facility?

Work5.06

5.06 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Practice expense11.96

11.96 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Malpractice1.03

1.03 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Adjusted RVUs

18.0500

Conversion factor

$33.4009

Medicare rate

$602.89

Every GPCI starts at 1.000, the national rate. Enter a ZIP or drag a slider.

The exact Houston, TX inputs and CMS source lines

PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv

3,353

Code
29870
Physician work
5.06
Practice expense
11.96
Malpractice
1.03

GPCI2026.csv

102

Locality
Houston, TX
Physician work
1.008
Practice expense
0.993
Malpractice
1.376
Office calculation for 29870 in Houston, TX
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work5.06× 1.0085.1005
Practice expense11.96× 0.99311.8763
Malpractice1.03× 1.3761.4173
Total RVUs18.3940
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office rate, Houston, TX$614.38

Office: (5.06 × 1.008 + 11.96 × 0.993 + 1.03 × 1.376) × $33.4009 = $614.38

Facility: (5.06 × 1.008 + 5.88 × 0.993 + 1.03 × 1.376) × $33.4009 = $412.72

Open 29870 in the RVU calculator

Payment rules and modifiers for 29870

29870 has a 90-day global period: related visits in that window are included in the surgery payment.

CMS payment indicators · 29870

Knee arthroscopy, diagnostic, with or without biopsy

RuleCMS valueWhat it means
Global period090Major surgery: the day before, the day of, and 90 days after are included.
Multiple procedures2Standard reduction: highest-valued procedure at 100%, others at 50%.
Bilateral (modifier 50)1Bilateral with modifier 50 pays 150% of the fee schedule amount.
Assistant at surgery (80/81/82/AS)1Not paid (statutory restriction).
Co-surgeons (62)1Permitted with supporting documentation.
Team surgery (66)0Not permitted.
Professional/technical0Physician service: no professional/technical split.
Split (54/55/56)0.10/0.69/0.21Share of the payment for pre-op, the procedure itself, and post-op care.

Global surgery period · 29870

Knee arthroscopy, diagnostic, with or without biopsy

90-day global period ends

Dec 30, 2026

Covers Sep 30, 2026 through Dec 30, 2026 (92 days, including the day before surgery).

Visit on Oct 31, 2026

Day 30 of the 90-day post-op period: related follow-up care is included in the surgical payment.

  • 24Unrelated E/M visit by the same physician
  • 79Unrelated procedure (starts its own global period)
  • 58Staged, more extensive, or therapy procedure that was planned
  • 78Unplanned return to the operating room for a related complication
SurgeryVisit
Sep 23, 2026Jan 10, 2027

Pre-op dayGlobal period

What modifiers do to the payment

Modifier 50 · payment effect

With and without the modifier

29870 without 50 · national office

$602.89

Knee arthroscopy, diagnostic, with or without biopsy

29870-50 · Bilateral: 150%

$904.34

Both sides on one line with modifier 50 are paid at 150% of the fee schedule amount (subject to multiple-procedure rules with other procedures).

When to use modifier 50

Codes related to 29870

Related codes aren’t interchangeable: bill the code that matches the service performed.

Codes related to 29870
CodeHow it relatesOffice range, Houston, TX
Used instead
29871Knee arthroscopy, infection lavage and drainageUsed when knee arthroscopy treats infection rather than serving as diagnostic inspection.No office rate
29875Knee synovectomy, limited arthroscopic excisionReports limited synovectomy when synovial tissue is surgically removed, not merely sampled.No office rate
29876Knee synovectomy, two or more compartmentsReports major synovectomy when extensive synovial removal is performed.No office rate
29881Knee meniscectomy, medial or lateral meniscusReports arthroscopic meniscectomy of one compartment when that therapeutic procedure is performed.No office rate

How 29870 has changed in Houston, TX

29870 · Office / nonfacility

$614.38

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $49.03 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $565.35 to $614.38 (8.7%).

It is unchanged from the immediately preceding available release, effective 2026-07-01.

Base rate by release · bars start at $0 · select a bar to compare

One bar per available release, ordered by effective date. Missing rates remain gaps. These comparisons hold the code, setting and locality identifiers constant; they do not isolate which policy or input caused a change.

What changed, release by release

  1. January 1, 2026

    RVU26A

    $565.35changed to$614.38

    • Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
    • Work RVU 5.19 changed to 5.06
    • Practice expense RVU 10.76 changed to 11.96
    • Malpractice RVU 1.01 changed to 1.03
    • Work GPCI 1.014 changed to 1.008
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.003 changed to 0.993
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.409 changed to 1.376

    Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.

  2. January 1, 2025

    RVU25A

    $576.73changed to$565.35

    • Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
    • Practice expense RVU 10.58 changed to 10.76
    • Malpractice RVU 1.03 changed to 1.01

    Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.

  3. March 9, 2024

    RVU24AR

    $567.32changed to$576.73

    • Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875

    Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.

  4. January 1, 2024

    RVU24A

    $576.56changed to$567.32

    • Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
    • Practice expense RVU 10.43 changed to 10.58
    • Malpractice RVU 0.96 changed to 1.03
    • Work GPCI 1.023 changed to 1.014
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.016 changed to 1.003
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.154 changed to 1.409

  5. January 1, 2023

    RVU23A

    $584.04changed to$576.56

    • Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
    • Practice expense RVU 10.33 changed to 10.43
    • Malpractice RVU 0.99 changed to 0.96
    • Work GPCI 1.032 changed to 1.023
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.029 changed to 1.016
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.900 changed to 1.154

    Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.

  6. January 1, 2022

    RVU22A

    $597.23changed to$584.04

    • Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
    • Practice expense RVU 10.58 changed to 10.33
    • Malpractice RVU 0.97 changed to 0.99

    Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.

  7. January 1, 2021

    RVU21A

    $602.00changed to$597.23

    • Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
    • Practice expense RVU 10.26 changed to 10.58
    • Work GPCI 1.026 changed to 1.032
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.020 changed to 1.029
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.918 changed to 0.900

    Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.

  8. January 1, 2020

    RVU20A

    $597.93changed to$602.00

    • Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
    • Practice expense RVU 10.22 changed to 10.26
    • Malpractice RVU 1.02 changed to 0.97
    • Work GPCI 1.020 changed to 1.026
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.012 changed to 1.020
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.936 changed to 0.918

    Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.

  9. January 1, 2019

    RVU19A

    $602.74changed to$597.93

    • Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
    • Practice expense RVU 10.37 changed to 10.22

    Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.

  10. January 1, 2018

    RVU18AR1

    $603.35changed to$602.74

    • Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
    • Practice expense RVU 10.44 changed to 10.37
    • Malpractice RVU 1.04 changed to 1.02
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.009 changed to 1.012
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.946 changed to 0.936

    Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.

  11. January 1, 2017

    RVU17A

    $602.74changed to$603.35

    • Conversion factor 35.8043 changed to 35.8887
    • Practice expense RVU 10.48 changed to 10.44
    • Malpractice RVU 1.05 changed to 1.04
    • Work GPCI 1.019 changed to 1.020
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.006 changed to 1.009
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.955 changed to 0.946

    Held through RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D.

  12. January 1, 2016

    RVU16A

    $607.05changed to$602.74

    • Conversion factor 35.9335 changed to 35.8043
    • Practice expense RVU 10.52 changed to 10.48
    • Malpractice RVU 1.07 changed to 1.05

    Held through RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D.

  13. July 1, 2015

    RVU15C

    $604.02changed to$607.05

    • Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335

    Held through RVU15D.

  14. January 1, 2015

    RVU15A

    $595.18changed to$604.02

    • Conversion factor 35.8228 changed to 35.7547
    • Practice expense RVU 10.39 changed to 10.52
    • Malpractice RVU 0.98 changed to 1.07
    • Work GPCI 1.014 changed to 1.019
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.004 changed to 1.006
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.939 changed to 0.955

    Held through RVU15B.

  15. January 1, 2014

    RVU14A

    $602.93changed to$595.18

    • Conversion factor 34.0230 changed to 35.8228
    • Practice expense RVU 11.52 changed to 10.39
    • Malpractice RVU 1.02 changed to 0.98
    • Work GPCI 1.009 changed to 1.014
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.002 changed to 1.004
    • Malpractice GPCI 0.923 changed to 0.939

    Held through RVU14B, RVU14C, RVU14D.

  16. January 1, 2013

    RVU13AR

    Earliest loaded release: $602.93

    Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D.

Rates in every CMS release
Effective fromOfficeFacilityCMS release
2026-10-01$614.38$412.72RVU26D
2026-07-01$614.38$412.72RVU26C
2026-04-01$614.38$412.72RVU26B
2026-01-01$614.38$412.72RVU26A
2025-10-01$565.35$429.09RVU25D
2025-07-01$565.35$429.09RVU25C
2025-04-01$565.35$429.09RVU25B
2025-01-01$565.35$429.09RVU25A
2024-10-01$576.73$434.50RVU24D
2024-07-01$576.73$434.50RVU24C
2024-04-01$576.73$434.50RVU24B
2024-03-09$576.73$434.50RVU24AR
2024-01-01$567.32$427.41RVU24A
2023-10-01$576.56$428.51RVU23D
2023-07-01$576.56$428.51RVU23C
2023-04-01$576.56$428.51RVU23B
2023-01-01$576.56$428.51RVU23A
2022-10-01$584.04$427.71RVU22D
2022-07-01$584.04$427.71RVU22C
2022-04-01$584.04$427.71RVU22B
2022-01-01$584.04$427.71RVU22A
2021-10-01$597.23$427.40RVU21D
2021-07-01$597.23$427.40RVU21C
2021-04-01$597.23$427.40RVU21B
2021-01-01$597.23$427.40RVU21A
2020-10-01$602.00$432.30RVU20D
2020-07-01$602.00$432.30RVU20C
2020-04-01$602.00$432.30RVU20B
2020-01-01$602.00$432.30RVU20A
2019-10-01$597.93$427.97RVU19D
2019-07-01$597.93$427.97RVU19C
2019-04-01$597.93$427.97RVU19B
2019-01-01$597.93$427.97RVU19A
2018-10-01$602.74$427.50RVU18D
2018-07-01$602.74$427.50RVU18C
2018-04-01$602.74$427.50RVU18B
2018-01-01$602.74$427.50RVU18AR1
2017-10-01$603.35$427.72RVU17D
2017-07-01$603.35$427.72RVU17C
2017-04-01$603.35$427.72RVU17B
2017-01-01$603.35$427.72RVU17A
2016-10-01$602.74$427.69RVU16D
2016-07-01$602.74$427.69RVU16C
2016-04-01$602.74$427.69RVU16B
2016-01-01$602.74$427.69RVU16A
2015-10-01$607.05$429.91RVU15D
2015-07-01$607.05$429.91RVU15C
2015-04-01$604.02$427.78RVU15B
2015-01-01$604.02$427.78RVU15A
2014-10-01$595.18$422.54RVU14D
2014-07-01$595.18$422.54RVU14C
2014-04-01$595.18$422.54RVU14B
2014-01-01$595.18$422.54RVU14A
2013-10-01$602.93$418.84RVU13D
2013-07-01$602.93$418.84RVU13C
2013-04-01$602.93$418.84RVU13B
2013-01-01$602.93$418.84RVU13AR

Price 29870 for an earlier date of service

Where the Houston, TX rate applies

Houston, TX is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 46 cities and communities in Texas. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.

Browse all communities in Texas

29870 billing questions

When should 29870 be chosen instead of a therapeutic knee arthroscopy code?

Use 29870 when the surgeon performs diagnostic inspection, with or without synovial biopsy, rather than a procedure to treat a finding. If the surgeon performs a definitive arthroscopic intervention in the same knee, report the therapeutic procedure rather than separately reporting the diagnostic inspection.

Is synovial biopsy included in 29870?

Yes. The code includes diagnostic knee arthroscopy whether or not the surgeon takes a synovial biopsy. A separately performed laboratory examination of the tissue may be reported by the appropriate laboratory provider.

Can 29870 be reported with a knee meniscectomy performed during the same session?

The diagnostic inspection is generally integral when the surgeon proceeds to a therapeutic arthroscopy in the same knee. Report the code for the meniscectomy, such as 29881 for a single-compartment meniscectomy, rather than separately reporting 29870.

How does the 90-day global period affect billing?

The global period includes the day-before preoperative visit and 90 days of related postoperative care. CMS applies this period to 29870.

How is bilateral 29870 reported?

When the procedure is performed on both knees, report modifier 50; CMS pays the bilateral procedure at 150%.

Can an assistant or co-surgeon be paid for 29870?

CMS restricts assistant-at-surgery payment for this code. Co-surgeons are paid only when supporting documentation is provided; team surgery is not permitted.

Where these rates come from

FeeBase calculates base physician payments from CMS work, practice-expense and malpractice RVUs, adjusted by each locality’s geographic indexes and the conversion factor. Services without a published rate are labeled, never given a made-up amount. Amounts are Medicare allowed amounts before claim adjustments: not a patient’s bill or a commercial rate.

CMS RVU26D · effective Oct 1, 2026 through the day before Jan 1, 2027

Show the CMS file lines behind this rate
RVUs for 29870PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv, line 3,353 (RVU26D)
Geographic factors for Houston, TXGPCI2026.csv, line 102 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

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