CPT 29819
Global 090 ActiveSho arthrs srg rmvl loose/fb
CPT 29819 Billing & Documentation Guide
CPT code 29819 (Sho arthrs srg rmvl loose/fb) is classified under Surgery (Musculoskeletal) with a global period indicator of 090. The 2026 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule assigns a work RVU of 7.6, a non-facility practice expense RVU of 7.37, and a malpractice RVU of 1.5, a total non-facility RVU of 16.47 and facility RVU of 16.47. With the current conversion factor of $33.4009, the national average non-facility reimbursement is approximately $558.82, though rates vary from $491.1 to $670.54 based on MAC locality and Geographic Practice Cost Indices (GPCIs).
When billing 29819, ensure documentation supports medical necessity and the specific components required for the code's level of service. For E/M codes, document MDM (medical decision-making) elements: problems addressed, data reviewed, and risk. For procedural codes, document the indication, technique, and any complications. Always verify NCCI edits before bundling 29819 with related codes; this code has 10 PTP bundling relationships on file (see table below).
Payment Status & Global Period
Active code (paid under MPFS)
90-day global period (major surgery: 1 day pre-op + procedure + 90 days post-op)
MUE Limit (Medically Unlikely Edits)
Submitting more than 1 units of 29819 for the same patient on the same date triggers automatic line denial unless an appropriate modifier and supporting documentation justify the higher quantity.
RVU Breakdown, CPT 29819
| Component | Non-Facility | Facility |
|---|---|---|
| Work RVU | 7.6 | 7.6 |
| Practice Expense RVU | 7.37 | 7.37 |
| Malpractice RVU | 1.5 | 1.5 |
| Total RVU | 16.47 | 16.47 |
| Conversion Factor | $33.4009 | |
2026 Medicare Reimbursement by State, CPT 29819
State-level averages across all MAC localities. Non-facility rates typically apply to office-based services; facility rates apply to hospital outpatient / inpatient.
| State | Non-Facility | Facility | Range (Non-Fac) | Localities |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| California | $581.39 | $581.39 | $554.81 - $663.59 | 29 |
| Florida | $598.36 | $598.36 | $564.48 - $636.81 | 3 |
| Georgia | $549.02 | $549.02 | $533.15 - $564.88 | 2 |
| Illinois | $588.33 | $588.33 | $556.9 - $618 | 4 |
| Michigan | $555.52 | $555.52 | $535.16 - $575.87 | 2 |
| North Carolina | $515.53 | $515.53 | $515.53 - $515.53 | 1 |
| New York | $608.62 | $608.62 | $522.92 - $655.82 | 5 |
| Ohio | $529.1 | $529.1 | $529.1 - $529.1 | 1 |
| Pennsylvania | $550.81 | $550.81 | $527.17 - $574.44 | 2 |
| Texas | $544.13 | $544.13 | $524.4 - $569.26 | 8 |
Source: CMS PFSRVU 2026 · Updated 2026-04-01. Full locality-level detail available for all 53 states, contact us for custom reports.
NCCI Bundling Edits, CPT 29819
Procedure-to-procedure (PTP) edits. If you bill any of these codes with 29819 on the same date of service, review the modifier indicator and payer policy before submission.
| Partner Code | Relationship | Modifier Allowed | Rationale |
|---|---|---|---|
| 01995 | Column 1 (primary), can be billed with modifier | No | Anesthesia service included in surgical procedure |
| 0213T | Column 1 (primary), can be billed with modifier | No | Misuse of Column Two code with Column One code |
| 0216T | Column 1 (primary), can be billed with modifier | No | Misuse of Column Two code with Column One code |
| 0228T | Column 1 (primary), can be billed with modifier | No | Standards of medical/surgical practice |
| 0230T | Column 1 (primary), can be billed with modifier | No | Standards of medical/surgical practice |
| 0566T | Column 1 (primary), can be billed with modifier | Yes | Misuse of Column Two code with Column One code |
| 0596T | Column 1 (primary), can be billed with modifier | Yes | Standards of medical/surgical practice |
| 0597T | Column 1 (primary), can be billed with modifier | Yes | Standards of medical/surgical practice |
| 0708T | Column 1 (primary), can be billed with modifier | Yes | Standards of medical/surgical practice |
| 0709T | Column 1 (primary), can be billed with modifier | Yes | Standards of medical/surgical practice |
Frequently Asked Questions, CPT 29819
What does CPT code 29819 mean? +
CPT code 29819 represents: Sho arthrs srg rmvl loose/fb. It's in the Surgery (Musculoskeletal) category with a global period of 090.
What is the Medicare reimbursement for CPT 29819? +
The 2026 Medicare national average non-facility payment for CPT 29819 is $558.82. Rates range from $491.1 to $670.54 across 53 states depending on MAC locality and GPCIs.
What modifiers can I use with CPT 29819? +
Surgery codes commonly use modifier 22 (increased procedural services), 50 (bilateral), 51 (multiple procedures), 52 (reduced services), 58/78/79 (staged, unplanned return, unrelated within global), 62 (co-surgeons), 80/82 (assistant surgeon), and 59 or the X{EPSU} subset for distinct procedural service.
What bundling edits apply to CPT 29819? +
This code has 10 NCCI PTP bundling relationships. See the NCCI Bundling section below for full list.
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Reviewed by the PayerReady Medical Coding Team
Verified against the CMS 2026 code set on May 31, 2026.
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