NCCI · 29881 + 29877Indicator 1
Clinical meaning
Chondroplasty in the same compartment as a meniscectomy is included
Bypass condition
Only if chondroplasty is in a DIFFERENT compartment (Medicare: G0289); use XS
design/ortho_rules.xlsx#NCCI_PTP_Rules · effective 2026-01-01
Modifier · 20900 + mod 51Invalid
Ruleillustrative
Add-on codes are modifier-51 exempt; appending 51 causes denial
design/ortho_rules.xlsx#Modifier_CPT_Validity · effective 2026-01-01
Global package · 27447 (TKA)090d
Period
Major surgery. 1 day pre-op + day-of + 90 days post-op.
Pre-op included
1 day pre-op + decision E/M w/ 57
Not included (use modifier)
New problem E/M (24); return to OR for complication (78); staged (58); unrelated (79)
Modifiers that open the package
24 · 57 · 58 · 78 · 79
design/ortho_rules.xlsx#Global_Surgical_Package · effective 2026-01-01
Bundling · [20900]1 flag
Add-on without primary
20900 is an add-on code billed without a primary procedure