DecisionHealth, DecisionHealth - 2026 Issue 3 (March)
Q&A: OK to use wrist scope code 29846 for joint debridement
Question: Our hand surgeon did a wrist arthroscopy with capsule debridement, synovium debridement, and removal of 2 loose bodies. I billed CPT code 29846 (Arthroscopy, wrist, surgical; excision and/or repair of triangular fibrocartilage and/or joint debridement) with ICD-10-CM codes M24.032 (Loose body left wrist) and M65.832 (Other synovitis forearm). Blue Cross is denying, stating that the ICD code cannot be billed with 29846. I always thought the and/or in the description of the code meant any combination of those would be billed with 29846. I thought 29846 would be appropriate for the debridement and loose body removal and be considered “joint debridement.” I am second guessing myself now with this denial. Does the TFCC have to be operated on to make 29846 appropriate? Should I have billed 29844 or an unlisted code?
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