CPT code 29873: Knee arthroscopy, arthroscopic lateral release2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Arizona
Arthroscopic lateral release treats patellar maltracking or lateral compression by dividing tight lateral retinacular tissue during knee surgery.
In Arizona, Medicare pays $506.44 for 29873 in a facility. There’s no office rate.
Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 29873 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 29873 covers
This procedure uses a knee arthroscope and instruments to release tight tissue along the outer side of the patella, reducing lateral restraint when patellar tracking or tilt is the surgical problem. Orthopedic surgeons perform it in an operating room, commonly for symptomatic patellar maltracking or lateral compression. The operative report should identify the lateral retinacular release rather than only diagnostic inspection or work on cartilage, synovium, or meniscus.
Report the arthroscopic release actually performed, supported by the indication, laterality, arthroscopic findings, and operative description. CMS assigns a 90-day global period, including the day-before preoperative visit and 90 days of related postoperative care. If related endoscopies are performed together, endoscopy-family pricing applies. For bilateral reporting, modifier 50 is paid at 150%. Medicare does not pay an assistant at surgery; 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 Arizona compares for 29873
Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the facility rate for 29873 runs from $461.74 in Arkansas to $645.81 in San Benito County, CA. Arizona pays $506.44. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.
- Arizona · this page$506.44
- Los Angeles, CA · California$565.73+$59.29
- Washington, DC area · District of Columbia$585.88+$79.44
- Miami, FL · Florida$596.71+$90.27
- Chicago, IL · Illinois$578.36+$71.92
- Manhattan, NY · New York$603.41+$96.97
- Alaska · Alaska$621.63+$115.19
Other areas in Arizona first, then benchmark localities. Bars start at $0.
Every other payment area
| Payment locality | Office | Facility |
|---|---|---|
| AlabamaAlabama | — | $468.30 |
| ArkansasArkansas | — | $461.74 |
| Bakersfield, CACalifornia | — | $534.94 |
| Chico, CACalifornia | — | $531.46 |
| El Centro, CACalifornia | — | $531.67 |
| Fresno, CACalifornia | — | $531.46 |
| Hanford, CACalifornia | — | $531.46 |
| Madera, CACalifornia | — | $531.46 |
| Merced, CACalifornia | — | $531.46 |
| Modesto, CACalifornia | — | $531.46 |
| Napa, CACalifornia | — | $600.88 |
| Oxnard, CACalifornia | — | $561.09 |
| Redding, CACalifornia | — | $531.46 |
| Rest of CaliforniaCalifornia | — | $531.46 |
| Riverside, CACalifornia | — | $545.01 |
| Sacramento, CACalifornia | — | $553.81 |
| Salinas, CACalifornia | — | $551.69 |
| San Diego, CACalifornia | — | $561.95 |
| Marin County, CACalifornia | — | $630.69 |
| San Francisco, CACalifornia | — | $629.26 |
| San Benito County, CACalifornia | — | $645.81 |
| Santa Clara County, CACalifornia | — | $639.96 |
| San Luis Obispo, CACalifornia | — | $543.33 |
| Santa Cruz, CACalifornia | — | $565.11 |
| Santa Maria, CACalifornia | — | $553.01 |
| Santa Rosa, CACalifornia | — | $570.52 |
| Stockton, CACalifornia | — | $531.46 |
| Vallejo, CACalifornia | — | $598.81 |
| Visalia, CACalifornia | — | $531.46 |
| Yuba City, CACalifornia | — | $531.46 |
| ColoradoColorado | — | $531.93 |
| ConnecticutConnecticut | — | $555.20 |
| DelawareDelaware | — | $514.51 |
| Fort Lauderdale, FLFlorida | — | $558.65 |
| Rest of FloridaFlorida | — | $530.08 |
| Atlanta, GAGeorgia | — | $534.54 |
| Rest of GeorgiaGeorgia | — | $499.34 |
| Hawaii, Guam, HIHawaii | — | $541.13 |
| IowaIowa | — | $472.23 |
| IdahoIdaho | — | $476.80 |
| East St. Louis, ILIllinois | — | $541.66 |
| Rest of IllinoisIllinois | — | $520.75 |
| Suburban Chicago, ILIllinois | — | $562.41 |
| IndianaIndiana | — | $479.28 |
| KansasKansas | — | $473.69 |
| KentuckyKentucky | — | $486.85 |
| New Orleans, LALouisiana | — | $510.50 |
| Rest of LouisianaLouisiana | — | $487.56 |
| Metropolitan Boston, MAMassachusetts | — | $578.27 |
| Rest of MassachusettsMassachusetts | — | $530.38 |
| Baltimore area, MDMaryland | — | $554.42 |
| Rest of MarylandMaryland | — | $522.94 |
| Rest of MaineMaine | — | $483.07 |
| Southern Maine, MEMaine | — | $503.04 |
| Detroit, MIMichigan | — | $540.27 |
| Rest of MichiganMichigan | — | $502.48 |
| MinnesotaMinnesota | — | $499.43 |
| Metropolitan Kansas City, MOMissouri | — | $503.26 |
| Metropolitan St. Louis, MOMissouri | — | $507.90 |
| Rest of MissouriMissouri | — | $481.89 |
| MississippiMississippi | — | $471.72 |
| MontanaMontana | — | $520.97 |
| North CarolinaNorth Carolina | — | $487.38 |
| North DakotaNorth Dakota | — | $496.06 |
| NebraskaNebraska | — | $473.63 |
| New HampshireNew Hampshire | — | $527.10 |
| Northern New JerseyNew Jersey | — | $580.85 |
| Rest of New JerseyNew Jersey | — | $558.64 |
| New MexicoNew Mexico | — | $506.61 |
| NevadaNevada | — | $514.30 |
| NYC suburbs and Long Island, NYNew York | — | $622.26 |
| Poughkeepsie and northern NYC suburbs, NYNew York | — | $565.24 |
| Queens, NYNew York | — | $602.86 |
| Rest of New YorkNew York | — | $494.76 |
| OhioOhio | — | $497.39 |
| OklahomaOklahoma | — | $482.15 |
| Portland, OROregon | — | $544.15 |
| Rest of OregonOregon | — | $507.45 |
| Metropolitan Philadelphia, PAPennsylvania | — | $544.14 |
| Rest of PennsylvaniaPennsylvania | — | $496.12 |
| Puerto RicoPuerto Rico | — | $523.46 |
| Rhode IslandRhode Island | — | $529.47 |
| South CarolinaSouth Carolina | — | $493.77 |
| South DakotaSouth Dakota | — | $493.11 |
| TennesseeTennessee | — | $476.46 |
| Austin, TXTexas | — | $532.66 |
| Beaumont, TXTexas | — | $493.24 |
| Brazoria, TXTexas | — | $510.94 |
| Dallas, TXTexas | — | $515.80 |
| Fort Worth, TXTexas | — | $513.59 |
| Galveston, TXTexas | — | $513.51 |
| Houston, TXTexas | — | $536.57 |
| Rest of TexasTexas | — | $502.90 |
| UtahUtah | — | $500.21 |
| VirginiaVirginia | — | $503.99 |
| Virgin Islands, VIUnited States Virgin Islands | — | $523.46 |
| VermontVermont | — | $497.51 |
| Rest of WashingtonWashington | — | $528.26 |
| King County, WAWashington | — | $586.13 |
| WisconsinWisconsin | — | $480.34 |
| West VirginiaWest Virginia | — | $503.05 |
| WyomingWyoming | — | $510.11 |
29873 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 29873 rate is calculated
Each of 29873’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 · 29873
RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor
Work6.08
6.08 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Practice expense8.26
8.26 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Malpractice1.26
1.26 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Adjusted RVUs
15.6000
Conversion factor
$33.4009
Medicare rate
$521.05
Every GPCI starts at 1.000, the national rate. Enter a ZIP or drag a slider.
The exact Arizona inputs and CMS source lines
PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv
3,355
- Code
- 29873
- Physician work
- 6.08
- Practice expense
- 8.26
- Malpractice
- 1.26
GPCI2026.csv
6
- Locality
- Arizona
- Physician work
- 1.000
- Practice expense
- 0.969
- Malpractice
- 0.856
| Component | RVU | Locality factor | Adjusted |
|---|---|---|---|
| Physician work | 6.08 | × 1.000 | 6.0800 |
| Practice expense | 8.26 | × 0.969 | 8.0039 |
| Malpractice | 1.26 | × 0.856 | 1.0786 |
| Total RVUs | 15.1625 | ||
| Conversion factor | × 33.4009 | ||
Facility rate, Arizona$506.44
Facility: (6.08 × 1 + 8.26 × 0.969 + 1.26 × 0.856) × $33.4009 = $506.44
Payment rules and modifiers for 29873
29873 has a 90-day global period: related visits in that window are included in the surgery payment.
CMS payment indicators · 29873
Knee arthroscopy, arthroscopic lateral release
| 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) | 1 | Permitted with supporting documentation. |
| 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 · 29873
Knee arthroscopy, arthroscopic lateral release
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
29873 without 50 · national facility
$521.05
Knee arthroscopy, arthroscopic lateral release
29873-50 · Bilateral: 150%
$781.58
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 29873 has changed in Arizona
29873 · 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 | $506.44 | RVU26D |
| 2026-07-01 | Not available in this setting | $506.44 | RVU26C |
| 2026-04-01 | Not available in this setting | $506.44 | RVU26B |
| 2026-01-01 | Not available in this setting | $506.44 | RVU26A |
| 2025-10-01 | Not available in this setting | $522.74 | RVU25D |
| 2025-07-01 | Not available in this setting | $522.74 | RVU25C |
| 2025-04-01 | Not available in this setting | $522.74 | RVU25B |
| 2025-01-01 | Not available in this setting | $522.74 | RVU25A |
| 2024-10-01 | Not available in this setting | $533.68 | RVU24D |
| 2024-07-01 | Not available in this setting | $533.68 | RVU24C |
| 2024-04-01 | Not available in this setting | $533.68 | RVU24B |
| 2024-03-09 | Not available in this setting | $533.68 | RVU24AR |
| 2024-01-01 | Not available in this setting | $524.97 | RVU24A |
| 2023-10-01 | Not available in this setting | $532.38 | RVU23D |
| 2023-07-01 | Not available in this setting | $532.38 | RVU23C |
| 2023-04-01 | Not available in this setting | $532.38 | RVU23B |
| 2023-01-01 | Not available in this setting | $532.38 | RVU23A |
| 2022-10-01 | Not available in this setting | $533.68 | RVU22D |
| 2022-07-01 | Not available in this setting | $533.68 | RVU22C |
| 2022-04-01 | Not available in this setting | $533.68 | RVU22B |
| 2022-01-01 | Not available in this setting | $533.68 | RVU22A |
| 2021-10-01 | Not available in this setting | $532.19 | RVU21D |
| 2021-07-01 | Not available in this setting | $532.19 | RVU21C |
| 2021-04-01 | Not available in this setting | $532.19 | RVU21B |
| 2021-01-01 | Not available in this setting | $532.19 | RVU21A |
| 2020-10-01 | Not available in this setting | $532.27 | RVU20D |
| 2020-07-01 | Not available in this setting | $532.27 | RVU20C |
| 2020-04-01 | Not available in this setting | $532.27 | RVU20B |
| 2020-01-01 | Not available in this setting | $532.27 | RVU20A |
| 2019-10-01 | Not available in this setting | $530.16 | RVU19D |
| 2019-07-01 | Not available in this setting | $530.16 | RVU19C |
| 2019-04-01 | Not available in this setting | $530.16 | RVU19B |
| 2019-01-01 | Not available in this setting | $530.16 | RVU19A |
| 2018-10-01 | Not available in this setting | $529.13 | RVU18D |
| 2018-07-01 | Not available in this setting | $529.13 | RVU18C |
| 2018-04-01 | Not available in this setting | $529.13 | RVU18B |
| 2018-01-01 | Not available in this setting | $529.13 | RVU18AR1 |
| 2017-10-01 | Not available in this setting | $529.11 | RVU17D |
| 2017-07-01 | Not available in this setting | $529.11 | RVU17C |
| 2017-04-01 | Not available in this setting | $529.11 | RVU17B |
| 2017-01-01 | Not available in this setting | $529.11 | RVU17A |
| 2016-10-01 | Not available in this setting | $534.65 | RVU16D |
| 2016-07-01 | Not available in this setting | $534.65 | RVU16C |
| 2016-04-01 | Not available in this setting | $534.65 | RVU16B |
| 2016-01-01 | Not available in this setting | $534.65 | RVU16A |
| 2015-10-01 | Not available in this setting | $537.21 | RVU15D |
| 2015-07-01 | Not available in this setting | $537.21 | RVU15C |
| 2015-04-01 | Not available in this setting | $534.54 | RVU15B |
| 2015-01-01 | Not available in this setting | $534.54 | RVU15A |
| 2014-10-01 | Not available in this setting | $529.96 | RVU14D |
| 2014-07-01 | Not available in this setting | $529.96 | RVU14C |
| 2014-04-01 | Not available in this setting | $529.96 | RVU14B |
| 2014-01-01 | Not available in this setting | $529.96 | RVU14A |
| 2013-10-01 | Not available in this setting | $528.95 | RVU13D |
| 2013-07-01 | Not available in this setting | $528.95 | RVU13C |
| 2013-04-01 | Not available in this setting | $528.95 | RVU13B |
| 2013-01-01 | Not available in this setting | $528.95 | RVU13AR |
Where the Arizona rate applies
Arizona is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 467 cities and communities in Arizona. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.
- Aguila
- Ajo
- Ak Chin
- Ak-Chin Village
- Alamo Lake
- Ali Chuk
- Ali Chukson
- Ali Molina
29873 billing questions
How does this differ from an open lateral release?
This code describes release performed arthroscopically. CPT 27425 is the open approach to lateral retinacular release.
Can it be reported with a meniscectomy or chondroplasty?
It may be reported with separately performed arthroscopic work when the operative report supports each service. CMS applies endoscopy-family pricing when related endoscopies are performed together.
What does the 90-day global period include?
The global period includes the day-before preoperative visit and 90 days of related postoperative care.
How is bilateral surgery reported?
For a bilateral procedure, modifier 50 is paid at 150% under the CMS rule for this code.
May an assistant or co-surgeon be reported?
Medicare does not pay an assistant at surgery for this code. Co-surgeons are paid only with supporting documentation; 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
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