CPT code 29874: Knee arthroscopy, loose or foreign body2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in New Mexico
Reports surgical knee arthroscopy to remove a loose or foreign body, such as a displaced osteochondritis dissecans fragment, from the joint.
In New Mexico, Medicare pays $496.93 for 29874 in a facility. There’s no office rate.
Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 29874 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 29874 covers
An orthopedic surgeon uses a knee arthroscope and instruments through small incisions to locate and remove a loose body or foreign material from the joint. A displaced osteochondritis dissecans fragment is a typical example. The service is generally performed in an operating room or ambulatory surgery setting when imaging, examination, or operative findings support removal of material within the knee.
The operative report should identify the knee, the material removed, its location, and the arthroscopic work performed. This major surgery has a 90-day global period, including the day-before preoperative visit and 90 days of related postoperative care. If related endoscopies are performed together, CMS applies endoscopy-family pricing. For bilateral surgery, modifier 50 is paid at 150%. Assistant-at-surgery payment requires documented medical necessity; 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 New Mexico compares for 29874
Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the facility rate for 29874 runs from $451.37 in Arkansas to $616.39 in Alaska. New Mexico pays $496.93. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.
- New Mexico · this page$496.93
- Los Angeles, CA · California$540.76+$43.83
- Washington, DC area · District of Columbia$563.98+$67.05
- Miami, FL · Florida$587.75+$90.82
- Chicago, IL · Illinois$570.21+$73.28
- Manhattan, NY · New York$585.16+$88.23
- Alaska · Alaska$616.39+$119.46
Other areas in New Mexico first, then benchmark localities. Bars start at $0.
Every other payment area
| Payment locality | Office | Facility |
|---|---|---|
| AlabamaAlabama | — | $457.38 |
| ArkansasArkansas | — | $451.37 |
| ArizonaArizona | — | $492.24 |
| Bakersfield, CACalifornia | — | $513.48 |
| Chico, CACalifornia | — | $509.54 |
| El Centro, CACalifornia | — | $509.78 |
| Fresno, CACalifornia | — | $509.54 |
| Hanford, CACalifornia | — | $509.54 |
| Madera, CACalifornia | — | $509.54 |
| Merced, CACalifornia | — | $509.54 |
| Modesto, CACalifornia | — | $509.54 |
| Napa, CACalifornia | — | $568.82 |
| Oxnard, CACalifornia | — | $535.55 |
| Redding, CACalifornia | — | $509.54 |
| Rest of CaliforniaCalifornia | — | $509.54 |
| Riverside, CACalifornia | — | $524.81 |
| Sacramento, CACalifornia | — | $529.03 |
| Salinas, CACalifornia | — | $526.96 |
| San Diego, CACalifornia | — | $535.32 |
| Marin County, CACalifornia | — | $594.63 |
| San Francisco, CACalifornia | — | $593.02 |
| San Benito County, CACalifornia | — | $608.98 |
| Santa Clara County, CACalifornia | — | $602.39 |
| San Luis Obispo, CACalifornia | — | $519.20 |
| Santa Cruz, CACalifornia | — | $537.19 |
| Santa Maria, CACalifornia | — | $527.83 |
| Santa Rosa, CACalifornia | — | $542.22 |
| Stockton, CACalifornia | — | $509.54 |
| Vallejo, CACalifornia | — | $566.49 |
| Visalia, CACalifornia | — | $509.54 |
| Yuba City, CACalifornia | — | $509.54 |
| ColoradoColorado | — | $512.81 |
| ConnecticutConnecticut | — | $537.95 |
| DelawareDelaware | — | $499.71 |
| Fort Lauderdale, FLFlorida | — | $547.26 |
| Rest of FloridaFlorida | — | $520.00 |
| Atlanta, GAGeorgia | — | $519.85 |
| Rest of GeorgiaGeorgia | — | $490.89 |
| Hawaii, Guam, HIHawaii | — | $516.81 |
| IowaIowa | — | $458.35 |
| IdahoIdaho | — | $463.07 |
| East St. Louis, ILIllinois | — | $536.16 |
| Rest of IllinoisIllinois | — | $513.20 |
| Suburban Chicago, ILIllinois | — | $550.34 |
| IndianaIndiana | — | $465.26 |
| KansasKansas | — | $460.95 |
| KentuckyKentucky | — | $477.08 |
| New Orleans, LALouisiana | — | $499.23 |
| Rest of LouisianaLouisiana | — | $478.22 |
| Metropolitan Boston, MAMassachusetts | — | $553.95 |
| Rest of MassachusettsMassachusetts | — | $512.04 |
| Baltimore area, MDMaryland | — | $537.40 |
| Rest of MarylandMaryland | — | $507.17 |
| Rest of MaineMaine | — | $470.14 |
| Southern Maine, MEMaine | — | $486.50 |
| Detroit, MIMichigan | — | $530.70 |
| Rest of MichiganMichigan | — | $492.61 |
| MinnesotaMinnesota | — | $479.14 |
| Metropolitan Kansas City, MOMissouri | — | $491.24 |
| Metropolitan St. Louis, MOMissouri | — | $495.34 |
| Rest of MissouriMissouri | — | $473.82 |
| MississippiMississippi | — | $462.45 |
| MontanaMontana | — | $505.93 |
| North CarolinaNorth Carolina | — | $473.86 |
| North DakotaNorth Dakota | — | $477.85 |
| NebraskaNebraska | — | $459.24 |
| New HampshireNew Hampshire | — | $509.30 |
| Northern New JerseyNew Jersey | — | $559.91 |
| Rest of New JerseyNew Jersey | — | $540.64 |
| NevadaNevada | — | $498.33 |
| NYC suburbs and Long Island, NYNew York | — | $604.08 |
| Poughkeepsie and northern NYC suburbs, NYNew York | — | $547.84 |
| Queens, NYNew York | — | $582.82 |
| Rest of New YorkNew York | — | $480.71 |
| OhioOhio | — | $486.88 |
| OklahomaOklahoma | — | $471.43 |
| Portland, OROregon | — | $522.54 |
| Rest of OregonOregon | — | $491.04 |
| Metropolitan Philadelphia, PAPennsylvania | — | $528.59 |
| Rest of PennsylvaniaPennsylvania | — | $485.01 |
| Puerto RicoPuerto Rico | — | $507.78 |
| Rhode IslandRhode Island | — | $512.76 |
| South CarolinaSouth Carolina | — | $481.85 |
| South DakotaSouth Dakota | — | $474.53 |
| TennesseeTennessee | — | $463.64 |
| Austin, TXTexas | — | $514.10 |
| Beaumont, TXTexas | — | $482.46 |
| Brazoria, TXTexas | — | $495.44 |
| Dallas, TXTexas | — | $500.50 |
| Fort Worth, TXTexas | — | $498.87 |
| Galveston, TXTexas | — | $498.17 |
| Houston, TXTexas | — | $524.16 |
| Rest of TexasTexas | — | $489.98 |
| UtahUtah | — | $487.72 |
| VirginiaVirginia | — | $488.26 |
| Virgin Islands, VIUnited States Virgin Islands | — | $507.78 |
| VermontVermont | — | $480.35 |
| Rest of WashingtonWashington | — | $509.63 |
| King County, WAWashington | — | $560.00 |
| WisconsinWisconsin | — | $463.78 |
| West VirginiaWest Virginia | — | $497.06 |
| WyomingWyoming | — | $493.69 |
29874 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 29874 rate is calculated
Each of 29874’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 · 29874
RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor
Work7.01
7.01 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Practice expense6.72
6.72 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Malpractice1.42
1.42 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI
Adjusted RVUs
15.1500
Conversion factor
$33.4009
Medicare rate
$506.02
Every GPCI starts at 1.000, the national rate. Enter a ZIP or drag a slider.
The exact New Mexico inputs and CMS source lines
PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv
3,356
- Code
- 29874
- Physician work
- 7.01
- Practice expense
- 6.72
- Malpractice
- 1.42
GPCI2026.csv
77
- Locality
- New Mexico
- Physician work
- 1.000
- Practice expense
- 0.917
- Malpractice
- 1.201
| Component | RVU | Locality factor | Adjusted |
|---|---|---|---|
| Physician work | 7.01 | × 1.000 | 7.0100 |
| Practice expense | 6.72 | × 0.917 | 6.1622 |
| Malpractice | 1.42 | × 1.201 | 1.7054 |
| Total RVUs | 14.8777 | ||
| Conversion factor | × 33.4009 | ||
Facility rate, New Mexico$496.93
Facility: (7.01 × 1 + 6.72 × 0.917 + 1.42 × 1.201) × $33.4009 = $496.93
Payment rules and modifiers for 29874
29874 has a 90-day global period: related visits in that window are included in the surgery payment.
CMS payment indicators · 29874
Knee arthroscopy, loose or foreign body
| 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) | 0 | Not paid without supporting documentation. |
| 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 · 29874
Knee arthroscopy, loose or foreign body
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
29874 without 50 · national facility
$506.02
Knee arthroscopy, loose or foreign body
29874-50 · Bilateral: 150%
$759.03
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 29874 has changed in New Mexico
29874 · 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 | $496.93 | RVU26D |
| 2026-07-01 | Not available in this setting | $496.93 | RVU26C |
| 2026-04-01 | Not available in this setting | $496.93 | RVU26B |
| 2026-01-01 | Not available in this setting | $496.93 | RVU26A |
| 2025-10-01 | Not available in this setting | $516.88 | RVU25D |
| 2025-07-01 | Not available in this setting | $516.88 | RVU25C |
| 2025-04-01 | Not available in this setting | $516.88 | RVU25B |
| 2025-01-01 | Not available in this setting | $516.88 | RVU25A |
| 2024-10-01 | Not available in this setting | $530.45 | RVU24D |
| 2024-07-01 | Not available in this setting | $530.45 | RVU24C |
| 2024-04-01 | Not available in this setting | $530.45 | RVU24B |
| 2024-03-09 | Not available in this setting | $530.45 | RVU24AR |
| 2024-01-01 | Not available in this setting | $521.79 | RVU24A |
| 2023-10-01 | Not available in this setting | $530.22 | RVU23D |
| 2023-07-01 | Not available in this setting | $530.22 | RVU23C |
| 2023-04-01 | Not available in this setting | $530.22 | RVU23B |
| 2023-01-01 | Not available in this setting | $530.22 | RVU23A |
| 2022-10-01 | Not available in this setting | $534.02 | RVU22D |
| 2022-07-01 | Not available in this setting | $534.02 | RVU22C |
| 2022-04-01 | Not available in this setting | $534.02 | RVU22B |
| 2022-01-01 | Not available in this setting | $534.02 | RVU22A |
| 2021-10-01 | Not available in this setting | $536.48 | RVU21D |
| 2021-07-01 | Not available in this setting | $536.48 | RVU21C |
| 2021-04-01 | Not available in this setting | $536.48 | RVU21B |
| 2021-01-01 | Not available in this setting | $536.48 | RVU21A |
| 2020-10-01 | Not available in this setting | $547.12 | RVU20D |
| 2020-07-01 | Not available in this setting | $547.12 | RVU20C |
| 2020-04-01 | Not available in this setting | $547.12 | RVU20B |
| 2020-01-01 | Not available in this setting | $547.12 | RVU20A |
| 2019-10-01 | Not available in this setting | $549.29 | RVU19D |
| 2019-07-01 | Not available in this setting | $549.29 | RVU19C |
| 2019-04-01 | Not available in this setting | $549.29 | RVU19B |
| 2019-01-01 | Not available in this setting | $549.29 | RVU19A |
| 2018-10-01 | Not available in this setting | $549.02 | RVU18D |
| 2018-07-01 | Not available in this setting | $549.02 | RVU18C |
| 2018-04-01 | Not available in this setting | $549.02 | RVU18B |
| 2018-01-01 | Not available in this setting | $549.02 | RVU18AR1 |
| 2017-10-01 | Not available in this setting | $545.03 | RVU17D |
| 2017-07-01 | Not available in this setting | $545.03 | RVU17C |
| 2017-04-01 | Not available in this setting | $545.03 | RVU17B |
| 2017-01-01 | Not available in this setting | $545.03 | RVU17A |
| 2016-10-01 | Not available in this setting | $541.77 | RVU16D |
| 2016-07-01 | Not available in this setting | $541.77 | RVU16C |
| 2016-04-01 | Not available in this setting | $541.77 | RVU16B |
| 2016-01-01 | Not available in this setting | $541.77 | RVU16A |
| 2015-10-01 | Not available in this setting | $544.97 | RVU15D |
| 2015-07-01 | Not available in this setting | $544.97 | RVU15C |
| 2015-04-01 | Not available in this setting | $542.26 | RVU15B |
| 2015-01-01 | Not available in this setting | $542.26 | RVU15A |
| 2014-10-01 | Not available in this setting | $533.64 | RVU14D |
| 2014-07-01 | Not available in this setting | $533.64 | RVU14C |
| 2014-04-01 | Not available in this setting | $533.64 | RVU14B |
| 2014-01-01 | Not available in this setting | $533.64 | RVU14A |
| 2013-10-01 | Not available in this setting | $524.61 | RVU13D |
| 2013-07-01 | Not available in this setting | $524.61 | RVU13C |
| 2013-04-01 | Not available in this setting | $524.61 | RVU13B |
| 2013-01-01 | Not available in this setting | $524.61 | RVU13AR |
Where the New Mexico rate applies
New Mexico is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 528 cities and communities in New Mexico. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.
- Abeytas
- Abiquiu
- Acomita Lake
- Adelino
- Agua Fria
- Alamillo
- Alamo
- Alamogordo
29874 billing questions
When is this code a better fit than a diagnostic knee arthroscopy?
Use this code when the surgeon performs arthroscopic removal of a loose or foreign body. A diagnostic arthroscopy describes examination when no such removal is performed.
How does this differ from arthroscopic chondroplasty?
This code describes removal of a loose or foreign body. Chondroplasty addresses damaged articular cartilage by debridement or shaving rather than removal of a discrete body.
Can this be reported when another knee arthroscopy is performed in the same session?
Related endoscopies performed together are subject to CMS endoscopy-family pricing. When loose-body removal is performed during another surgical knee arthroscopy in a different compartment, review G0289 rather than assuming this code is separately reportable.
What documentation supports the service?
Document the operative finding, the knee and compartment involved, the loose or foreign material removed, and the arthroscopic removal performed.
How is bilateral removal reported?
For bilateral surgery, report modifier 50; CMS pays the bilateral procedure at 150%.
What should the billing team know about the global period and surgical assistance?
The code has a 90-day major-surgery global period. Assistant-at-surgery payment requires documentation of medical necessity; co-surgeons and team surgery are 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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