CPT code 29871: Knee arthroscopy, infection lavage and drainage2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Nevada
Reports arthroscopic surgical lavage and drainage of an infected knee joint, typically performed to treat septic arthritis rather than for diagnostic inspection alone.
In Nevada, Medicare pays $484.03 for 29871 in a facility. There’s no office rate.
Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 29871 nationwide
Medicare allowed amount for participating (non-QP) physicians, before deductible, coinsurance and claim adjustments. Not a patient’s bill or a hospital charge.
On this page 11 sections
What 29871 covers
An orthopedic surgeon uses an arthroscope and instruments to access an infected knee joint, wash out the joint, and drain infectious material. This service is commonly performed in a hospital or ambulatory surgery facility for septic arthritis. The operative record should identify the infection and describe the arthroscopic lavage and drainage performed; a diagnostic look alone does not describe this treatment.
Select this code when arthroscopy is the method used to surgically treat the knee infection, rather than when the primary service is synovectomy or another distinct knee procedure. The 90-day global period includes the day-before preoperative visit and 90 days of related postoperative care. When related endoscopies are performed together, endoscopy family pricing applies. For bilateral surgery, modifier 50 is paid at 150%. CMS does not pay an assistant at surgery; co-surgeons and team surgery are 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 Nevada compares for 29871
Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the facility rate for 29871 runs from $437.24 in Arkansas to $595.34 in San Benito County, CA. Nevada pays $484.03. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.
- Nevada · this page$484.03
- Los Angeles, CA · California$526.91+$42.88
- Washington, DC area · District of Columbia$548.85+$64.82
- Miami, FL · Florida$569.64+$85.61
- Chicago, IL · Illinois$552.39+$68.36
- Manhattan, NY · New York$568.70+$84.67
- Alaska · Alaska$594.82+$110.79
Other areas in Nevada first, then benchmark localities. Bars start at $0.
Every other payment area
| Payment locality | Office | Facility |
|---|---|---|
| AlabamaAlabama | — | $443.20 |
| ArkansasArkansas | — | $437.24 |
| ArizonaArizona | — | $477.75 |
| Bakersfield, CACalifornia | — | $499.77 |
| Chico, CACalifornia | — | $496.04 |
| El Centro, CACalifornia | — | $496.26 |
| Fresno, CACalifornia | — | $496.04 |
| Hanford, CACalifornia | — | $496.04 |
| Madera, CACalifornia | — | $496.04 |
| Merced, CACalifornia | — | $496.04 |
| Modesto, CACalifornia | — | $496.04 |
| Napa, CACalifornia | — | $555.51 |
| Oxnard, CACalifornia | — | $522.01 |
| Redding, CACalifornia | — | $496.04 |
| Rest of CaliforniaCalifornia | — | $496.04 |
| Riverside, CACalifornia | — | $510.55 |
| Sacramento, CACalifornia | — | $515.48 |
| Salinas, CACalifornia | — | $513.48 |
| San Diego, CACalifornia | — | $521.99 |
| Marin County, CACalifornia | — | $581.29 |
| San Francisco, CACalifornia | — | $579.76 |
| San Benito County, CACalifornia | — | $595.34 |
| Santa Clara County, CACalifornia | — | $589.07 |
| San Luis Obispo, CACalifornia | — | $505.86 |
| Santa Cruz, CACalifornia | — | $524.10 |
| Santa Maria, CACalifornia | — | $514.43 |
| Santa Rosa, CACalifornia | — | $529.03 |
| Stockton, CACalifornia | — | $496.04 |
| Vallejo, CACalifornia | — | $553.30 |
| Visalia, CACalifornia | — | $496.04 |
| Yuba City, CACalifornia | — | $496.04 |
| ColoradoColorado | — | $498.69 |
| ConnecticutConnecticut | — | $522.74 |
| DelawareDelaware | — | $485.12 |
| Fort Lauderdale, FLFlorida | — | $530.73 |
| Rest of FloridaFlorida | — | $503.96 |
| Atlanta, GAGeorgia | — | $504.70 |
| Rest of GeorgiaGeorgia | — | $475.31 |
| Hawaii, Guam, HIHawaii | — | $503.64 |
| IowaIowa | — | $444.72 |
| IdahoIdaho | — | $449.29 |
| East St. Louis, ILIllinois | — | $518.77 |
| Rest of IllinoisIllinois | — | $496.84 |
| Suburban Chicago, ILIllinois | — | $533.83 |
| IndianaIndiana | — | $451.47 |
| KansasKansas | — | $447.03 |
| KentuckyKentucky | — | $462.14 |
| New Orleans, LALouisiana | — | $483.98 |
| Rest of LouisianaLouisiana | — | $463.16 |
| Metropolitan Boston, MAMassachusetts | — | $539.62 |
| Rest of MassachusettsMassachusetts | — | $497.77 |
| Baltimore area, MDMaryland | — | $522.18 |
| Rest of MarylandMaryland | — | $492.55 |
| Rest of MaineMaine | — | $456.01 |
| Southern Maine, MEMaine | — | $472.63 |
| Detroit, MIMichigan | — | $514.26 |
| Rest of MichiganMichigan | — | $477.27 |
| MinnesotaMinnesota | — | $466.21 |
| Metropolitan Kansas City, MOMissouri | — | $476.35 |
| Metropolitan St. Louis, MOMissouri | — | $480.45 |
| Rest of MissouriMissouri | — | $458.63 |
| MississippiMississippi | — | $447.80 |
| MontanaMontana | — | $491.24 |
| North CarolinaNorth Carolina | — | $459.74 |
| North DakotaNorth Dakota | — | $464.54 |
| NebraskaNebraska | — | $445.69 |
| New HampshireNew Hampshire | — | $495.06 |
| Northern New JerseyNew Jersey | — | $544.67 |
| Rest of New JerseyNew Jersey | — | $525.43 |
| New MexicoNew Mexico | — | $481.43 |
| NYC suburbs and Long Island, NYNew York | — | $587.09 |
| Poughkeepsie and northern NYC suburbs, NYNew York | — | $532.30 |
| Queens, NYNew York | — | $566.78 |
| Rest of New YorkNew York | — | $466.51 |
| OhioOhio | — | $471.81 |
| OklahomaOklahoma | — | $456.83 |
| Portland, OROregon | — | $508.63 |
| Rest of OregonOregon | — | $477.02 |
| Metropolitan Philadelphia, PAPennsylvania | — | $513.32 |
| Rest of PennsylvaniaPennsylvania | — | $470.11 |
| Puerto RicoPuerto Rico | — | $493.16 |
| Rhode IslandRhode Island | — | $498.13 |
| South CarolinaSouth Carolina | — | $467.20 |
| South DakotaSouth Dakota | — | $461.39 |
| TennesseeTennessee | — | $449.66 |
| Austin, TXTexas | — | $499.87 |
| Beaumont, TXTexas | — | $467.56 |
| Brazoria, TXTexas | — | $481.09 |
| Dallas, TXTexas | — | $485.97 |
| Fort Worth, TXTexas | — | $484.27 |
| Galveston, TXTexas | — | $483.71 |
| Houston, TXTexas | — | $508.42 |
| Rest of TexasTexas | — | $475.30 |
| UtahUtah | — | $473.02 |
| VirginiaVirginia | — | $474.19 |
| Virgin Islands, VIUnited States Virgin Islands | — | $493.16 |
| VermontVermont | — | $466.77 |
| Rest of WashingtonWashington | — | $495.49 |
| King County, WAWashington | — | $545.83 |
| WisconsinWisconsin | — | $450.53 |
| West VirginiaWest Virginia | — | $480.83 |
| WyomingWyoming | — | $479.60 |
29871 rates by state
Office rate range in each state. Select a state to see its payment localities.
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.
View every state and territory as a table
| State / territory | Office rate range | Localities |
|---|---|---|
| AK | No published base rate | 1 |
| AL | No published base rate | 1 |
| AR | No published base rate | 1 |
| AZ | No published base rate | 1 |
| CA | No published base rate | 29 |
| CO | No published base rate | 1 |
| CT | No published base rate | 1 |
| DC | No published base rate | 1 |
| DE | No published base rate | 1 |
| FL | No published base rate | 3 |
| GA | No published base rate | 2 |
| GU | No published base rate | 1 |
| HI | No published base rate | 1 |
| IA | No published base rate | 1 |
| ID | No published base rate | 1 |
| IL | No published base rate | 4 |
| IN | No published base rate | 1 |
| KS | No published base rate | 1 |
| KY | No published base rate | 1 |
| LA | No published base rate | 2 |
| MA | No published base rate | 2 |
| MD | No published base rate | 3 |
| ME | No published base rate | 2 |
| MI | No published base rate | 2 |
| MN | No published base rate | 1 |
| MO | No published base rate | 3 |
| MS | No published base rate | 1 |
| MT | No published base rate | 1 |
| NC | No published base rate | 1 |
| ND | No published base rate | 1 |
| NE | No published base rate | 1 |
| NH | No published base rate | 1 |
| NJ | No published base rate | 2 |
| NM | No published base rate | 1 |
| NV | No published base rate | 1 |
| NY | No published base rate | 5 |
| OH | No published base rate | 1 |
| OK | No published base rate | 1 |
| OR | No published base rate | 2 |
| PA | No published base rate | 2 |
| PR | No published base rate | 1 |
| RI | No published base rate | 1 |
| SC | No published base rate | 1 |
| SD | No published base rate | 1 |
| TN | No published base rate | 1 |
| TX | No published base rate | 8 |
| UT | No published base rate | 1 |
| VA | No published base rate | 2 |
| VI | No published base rate | 1 |
| VT | No published base rate | 1 |
| WA | No published base rate | 2 |
| WI | No published base rate | 1 |
| WV | No published base rate | 1 |
| WY | No published base rate | 1 |
How the 29871 rate is calculated
Each of 29871’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 · 29871
RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor
Work6.52
6.52 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Practice expense6.84
6.84 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Malpractice1.35
1.35 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Adjusted RVUs
14.7100
Conversion factor
$33.4009
Medicare rate
$491.33
Every GPCI starts at 1.000, the national rate. Enter a ZIP or drag a slider.
The exact Nevada inputs and CMS source lines
PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv
3,354
- Code
- 29871
- Physician work
- 6.52
- Practice expense
- 6.84
- Malpractice
- 1.35
GPCI2026.csv
73
- Locality
- Nevada
- Physician work
- 1.000
- Practice expense
- 1.001
- Malpractice
- 0.833
| Component | RVU | Locality factor | Adjusted |
|---|---|---|---|
| Physician work | 6.52 | × 1.000 | 6.5200 |
| Practice expense | 6.84 | × 1.001 | 6.8468 |
| Malpractice | 1.35 | × 0.833 | 1.1245 |
| Total RVUs | 14.4914 | ||
| Conversion factor | × 33.4009 | ||
Facility rate, Nevada$484.03
Facility: (6.52 × 1 + 6.84 × 1.001 + 1.35 × 0.833) × $33.4009 = $484.03
Payment rules and modifiers for 29871
29871 has a 90-day global period: related visits in that window are included in the surgery payment.
CMS payment indicators · 29871
Knee arthroscopy, infection lavage and drainage
| Rule | CMS value | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Global period | 090 | Major surgery: the day before, the day of, and 90 days after are included. |
| Multiple procedures | 3 | Endoscopy family rules apply. |
| Bilateral (modifier 50) | 1 | Bilateral with modifier 50 pays 150% of the fee schedule amount. |
| Assistant at surgery (80/81/82/AS) | 1 | Not paid (statutory restriction). |
| Co-surgeons (62) | 0 | Not permitted. |
| Team surgery (66) | 0 | Not permitted. |
| Professional/technical | 0 | Physician service: no professional/technical split. |
| Split (54/55/56) | 0.10/0.69/0.21 | Share of the payment for pre-op, the procedure itself, and post-op care. |
Global surgery period · 29871
Knee arthroscopy, infection lavage and drainage
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.
Pre-op dayGlobal period
What modifiers do to the payment
Modifier 50 · payment effect
With and without the modifier
29871 without 50 · national facility
$491.33
Knee arthroscopy, infection lavage and drainage
29871-50 · Bilateral: 150%
$737.00
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).
How 29871 has changed in Nevada
29871 · Office / nonfacility
Rate unavailable
Effective 2026-10-01
A rate is unavailable in one of these releases, so a change cannot be calculated.
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
| Effective from | Office | Facility | CMS release |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-10-01 | Not available in this setting | $484.03 | RVU26D |
| 2026-07-01 | Not available in this setting | $484.03 | RVU26C |
| 2026-04-01 | Not available in this setting | $484.03 | RVU26B |
| 2026-01-01 | Not available in this setting | $484.03 | RVU26A |
| 2025-10-01 | Not available in this setting | $506.53 | RVU25D |
| 2025-07-01 | Not available in this setting | $506.53 | RVU25C |
| 2025-04-01 | Not available in this setting | $506.53 | RVU25B |
| 2025-01-01 | Not available in this setting | $506.53 | RVU25A |
| 2024-10-01 | Not available in this setting | $516.27 | RVU24D |
| 2024-07-01 | Not available in this setting | $516.27 | RVU24C |
| 2024-04-01 | Not available in this setting | $516.27 | RVU24B |
| 2024-03-09 | Not available in this setting | $516.27 | RVU24AR |
| 2024-01-01 | Not available in this setting | $507.84 | RVU24A |
| 2023-10-01 | Not available in this setting | $532.01 | RVU23D |
| 2023-07-01 | Not available in this setting | $532.01 | RVU23C |
| 2023-04-01 | Not available in this setting | $532.01 | RVU23B |
| 2023-01-01 | Not available in this setting | $532.01 | RVU23A |
| 2022-10-01 | Not available in this setting | $547.60 | RVU22D |
| 2022-07-01 | Not available in this setting | $547.60 | RVU22C |
| 2022-04-01 | Not available in this setting | $547.60 | RVU22B |
| 2022-01-01 | Not available in this setting | $547.60 | RVU22A |
| 2021-10-01 | Not available in this setting | $547.94 | RVU21D |
| 2021-07-01 | Not available in this setting | $547.94 | RVU21C |
| 2021-04-01 | Not available in this setting | $547.94 | RVU21B |
| 2021-01-01 | Not available in this setting | $547.94 | RVU21A |
| 2020-10-01 | Not available in this setting | $541.55 | RVU20D |
| 2020-07-01 | Not available in this setting | $541.55 | RVU20C |
| 2020-04-01 | Not available in this setting | $541.55 | RVU20B |
| 2020-01-01 | Not available in this setting | $541.55 | RVU20A |
| 2019-10-01 | Not available in this setting | $534.35 | RVU19D |
| 2019-07-01 | Not available in this setting | $534.35 | RVU19C |
| 2019-04-01 | Not available in this setting | $534.35 | RVU19B |
| 2019-01-01 | Not available in this setting | $534.35 | RVU19A |
| 2018-10-01 | Not available in this setting | $534.45 | RVU18D |
| 2018-07-01 | Not available in this setting | $534.45 | RVU18C |
| 2018-04-01 | Not available in this setting | $534.45 | RVU18B |
| 2018-01-01 | Not available in this setting | $534.45 | RVU18AR1 |
| 2017-10-01 | Not available in this setting | $537.71 | RVU17D |
| 2017-07-01 | Not available in this setting | $537.71 | RVU17C |
| 2017-04-01 | Not available in this setting | $537.71 | RVU17B |
| 2017-01-01 | Not available in this setting | $537.71 | RVU17A |
| 2016-10-01 | Not available in this setting | $542.90 | RVU16D |
| 2016-07-01 | Not available in this setting | $542.90 | RVU16C |
| 2016-04-01 | Not available in this setting | $542.90 | RVU16B |
| 2016-01-01 | Not available in this setting | $542.90 | RVU16A |
| 2015-10-01 | Not available in this setting | $545.21 | RVU15D |
| 2015-07-01 | Not available in this setting | $545.21 | RVU15C |
| 2015-04-01 | Not available in this setting | $542.50 | RVU15B |
| 2015-01-01 | Not available in this setting | $542.50 | RVU15A |
| 2014-10-01 | Not available in this setting | $543.43 | RVU14D |
| 2014-07-01 | Not available in this setting | $543.43 | RVU14C |
| 2014-04-01 | Not available in this setting | $543.43 | RVU14B |
| 2014-01-01 | Not available in this setting | $543.43 | RVU14A |
| 2013-10-01 | Not available in this setting | $546.74 | RVU13D |
| 2013-07-01 | Not available in this setting | Rate data unavailable | RVU13C |
| 2013-04-01 | Not available in this setting | Rate data unavailable | RVU13B |
| 2013-01-01 | Not available in this setting | Rate data unavailable | RVU13AR |
Where the Nevada rate applies
Nevada is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 138 cities and communities in Nevada. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.
- Alamo
- Amargosa Valley
- Austin
- Baker
- Battle Mountain
- Beatty
- Beaverdam
- Bennett Springs
29871 billing questions
When should this be reported instead of diagnostic knee arthroscopy?
Report this code when the surgeon performs arthroscopic lavage and drainage to treat a knee infection. Diagnostic inspection without that therapeutic work is a different service.
Is synovectomy included in this code?
This code identifies arthroscopic treatment of infection by lavage and drainage, not synovectomy based on the extent of synovial removal. Document any distinct procedure performed and evaluate it under its own coding rules.
How is bilateral knee treatment handled?
CMS identifies this as a bilateral procedure; modifier 50 is paid at 150%. Document the work on both knees.
Can an assistant or co-surgeon be reported?
CMS does not pay an assistant at surgery for this code. Co-surgeons and team surgery are not permitted.
What postoperative care is included?
The 90-day global period includes the day-before preoperative visit and 90 days of related postoperative care.
What happens when related endoscopies are performed together?
CMS applies endoscopy family pricing when related endoscopies are performed together. The operative documentation should support each procedure reported.
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
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