In simple words: This code is for extra work done during knee arthroscopy (a type of keyhole surgery). If, during the main surgery, the doctor needs to clean up or remove something from a different part of the same knee, this extra work is billed using code G0289.This is only used for additional work within the same knee joint.

HCPCS code G0289 describes arthroscopic knee surgery performed on an additional compartment of the same knee.This add-on code is used when, during a primary arthroscopic knee procedure (such as 29874 or 29877), the surgeon identifies and removes loose bodies, foreign material, or performs debridement/shaving of articular cartilage in a different compartment of the same knee.The code is reported only once per additional compartment, regardless of the amount of work performed within that compartment. It's crucial to note that this code is an add-on code and requires a primary procedure code to be reported.Appropriate primary procedure codes usually include CPT codes 29874 (Arthroscopy, knee, surgical; for removal of loose body or foreign body) or 29877 (Arthroscopy, knee, surgical; debridement or shaving of articular cartilage, chondroplasty).The code should only be used for Medicare patients unless other payers specify reimbursement for this code.

Example 1: A patient presents for arthroscopic knee surgery (primary procedure code 29874) to remove a loose body from the medial compartment. During the procedure, the surgeon discovers and removes additional loose bodies and performs cartilage shaving (chondroplasty) in the lateral compartment of the same knee. G0289 is reported in addition to 29874., A patient undergoes arthroscopic knee surgery (primary procedure code 29877) for debridement of the patellofemoral compartment.During the procedure, the surgeon identifies and removes a foreign body from the medial compartment. G0289 is added to 29877., During an arthroscopy of the knee (primary procedure code 29874), the surgeon finds damage in multiple compartments of the knee. They remove loose bodies from the lateral compartment and perform a chondroplasty on the medial compartment. Only one unit of G0289 would be reported.

Detailed operative report specifying the primary procedure and clearly documenting the identification and treatment of the additional compartment in the same knee.The report should include details such as the location of the additional compartment, the nature of the pathology found, the specific procedures performed, and any other relevant findings.

** This code is specific to arthroscopic procedures in the knee and should not be applied to other joints. It is an add-on code meaning it should always be appended to a primary CPT code and cannot stand alone.Always refer to the most current payer guidelines before coding.