Arthroscopy · Shoulder

29807

Arthroscopic surgical repair of a superior labrum anterior and posterior (SLAP) lesion of the shoulder joint.

Verified May 8, 2026 · 6 sources ↓

Medicare
$951.93
Total RVUs
28.5
Global, days
90
Region
Shoulder
Drawn from CMSAAPCAAOS

Documentation requirements

What must appear in the operative or office note to support the claim.

Source · Editorial brief grounded in 6 cited references ↓

  • Preoperative MRI or imaging confirming SLAP tear type and location (clock-face position, e.g., 10 o'clock to 2 o'clock superior labrum)
  • Operative note specifying the number and placement of suture anchors used for labral reattachment
  • Explicit description of the superior labrum tear involving both anterior and posterior components relative to the biceps root
  • Documentation distinguishing any concurrent capsulorrhaphy as a separate and unrelated pathology if 29806 is also billed
  • Laterality clearly stated (right vs. left shoulder) throughout the operative and procedure notes
  • Arthroscopic findings documented, including labral tissue quality, presence of biceps anchor involvement, and any concomitant pathology addressed or debrided

Applicable modifiers

Modifiers commonly billed with this code.

Source · AMA CPT modifier descriptors · CMS NCCI Policy Manual

22 Increased complexity 50 Bilateral procedure 51 Multiple procedures 59 Distinct service 76 Repeat, same physician 77 Repeat, another physician 78 Unplanned return — related 79 Unrelated during global LT Left side RT Right side AS PA/NP/CNS assistant

What this code covers

Source · Editorial summary grounded in 6 cited references ↓

CPT 29807 covers arthroscopic repair of a SLAP lesion — a tear of the superior labrum at its anterior and posterior attachment around the glenoid. The surgeon reattaches the torn labrum to the glenoid rim using suture anchors placed arthroscopically, restoring glenohumeral stability and biceps anchor integrity. The procedure carries a 90-day global period, meaning all routine post-op visits, dressing changes, and follow-up through day 90 are bundled into the surgical payment.

The most critical bundling issue with 29807 is its NCCI relationship with 29806 (capsulorrhaphy/labral repair). Per NCCI PTP edits, 29806 is the column-one code to 29807 — they cannot both be reported for the same ipsilateral shoulder in the same session unless the capsulorrhaphy is documented as a distinct, unrelated procedure (not simply labral repair by capsular attachment). If the surgeon documents work spanning both superior and inferior labrum requiring extra anchor placement or significantly increased operative time, append modifier 22 to 29807 rather than unbundling to 29806. Modifier 59 to bypass the 29806/29807 bundle is appropriate only when a capsulorraphy is performed for a pathology completely separate from the SLAP tear, with operative note documentation explicitly supporting that distinction.

Site of service matters: HOPD and ASC payments differ substantially (see the Site of Service comparison table). Most SLAP repairs are performed in the ASC or outpatient hospital setting. Always append LT or RT to lateralize the claim. Bilateral SLAP repair in a single session is rare but reportable with modifier 50 on a professional claim, or on two separate claim lines with LT and RT at an ASC.

RVU & reimbursement

Component RVUs and Medicare national rate. Actual payment varies by GPCI locality.

Source · CMS Physician Fee Schedule, RVU26A · January 2026

Work RVU14.3
Practice expense RVU11.27
Malpractice RVU2.93
Total RVU28.5
Medicare national rate$951.93
Global period90 days

Payment by site of service

Medicare pays different rates by setting. HOPD typically pays substantially more than ASC for the same procedure.

Source · CMS OPPS Addendum B·ASC HCPCS payment rates·2026

SettingMedicare rate (national)
Office (PFS non-facility)
Procedure performed in physician's office
$951.93
HOPD (APC 5114)
Hospital outpatient department
$7,413.38
ASC (PI A2)
Ambulatory surgical center (freestanding)
$3,695.53

Common denial reasons

The recurring reasons claims for CPT 29807 get rejected.

Source · Editorial brief grounded in CMS NCCI edits, AAOS coding appeals, and cited references ↓

  • 29806 and 29807 billed together for the same ipsilateral shoulder without adequate documentation of a separate and distinct capsulorrhaphy, triggering NCCI PTP bundle denial
  • Missing or ambiguous laterality — claim submitted without LT or RT modifier causes processing delays or denial by laterality-sensitive payers
  • Insufficient operative documentation to support SLAP repair versus simple debridement; note describes labral work without specifying anchor repair and reattachment
  • Post-op E&M visits billed without modifier 24 during the 90-day global period, resulting in denial as included services
  • Modifier 22 used for increased work without an attached operative note addendum quantifying additional time, anchors, or complexity

Frequently asked questions

Source · Generated from the editorial pipeline, verified against 6 cited references ↓

01Can I bill 29806 and 29807 together for the same shoulder in the same session?
Generally no. NCCI PTP edits make 29806 the column-one code over 29807 for the ipsilateral shoulder. You cannot bypass this edit with modifier 59 simply because both procedures were performed. Modifier 59 applies only when the capsulorrhaphy is documented as unrelated to the SLAP pathology — not when the surgeon repairs the labrum by attaching it to the capsule. If the work spans upper and lower labrum with significantly increased complexity, use modifier 22 on 29807 instead.
02What modifier do I use when the SLAP repair requires significantly more anchors or time than typical?
Append modifier 22 to 29807. The operative note must quantify the added work — number of additional anchors, extended operative time, or unusual tear complexity. Payers routinely request the full operative report when modifier 22 is billed; have it ready.
03Does 29807 require both anterior and posterior labral repair to be coded correctly?
The tear must involve the superior labrum in both the anterior and posterior directions relative to the biceps anchor. A purely posterior labral repair without superior involvement is more accurately captured by 29806. Document the clock-face positions of the tear and anchor placement to support the SLAP-specific repair designation.
04What is the global period for 29807 and what does it cover?
29807 carries a 90-day global period. That includes the day before surgery, the operative day, and all routine post-op care through day 90 — office visits, sling checks, dressing changes, and suture removal. Bill unrelated E&M visits during the global with modifier 24. A new and unrelated surgical procedure in the global window needs modifier 79.
05How should I report a bilateral SLAP repair performed in the same session?
On a professional claim, report 29807 once with modifier 50. At an ASC, report two claim lines — one with modifier LT and one with modifier RT, each with one unit of service. True bilateral SLAP repair in a single session is uncommon; payers may scrutinize the operative note closely.
06Can 29826 (acromioplasty) be reported with 29807 in the same session?
Yes. CPT 29826 is an add-on code intended to be listed separately with primary shoulder arthroscopy codes including 29807. There are no NCCI edits barring this combination, and AAOS Global Service Data guidance supports separate reporting. Do not let payers deny 29826 as bundled — that denial is not supported by AMA CPT parenthetical instructions or NCCI policy.

Sources & references

Editorial content was developed using the following public sources. Last verified May 8, 2026.

  1. 01CMS Physician Fee Schedule 2026
  2. 02
    cms.gov
    https://www.cms.gov/files/document/medicare-ncci-policy-manual-2024-chapter-4.pdf
  3. 03
    cms.gov
    https://www.cms.gov/files/document/04-chapter4-ncci-medicare-policy-manual-2025finalcleanpdf.pdf
  4. 04
    aapc.com
    https://www.aapc.com/discuss/threads/29806-w-29807.178794/
  5. 05
    aaos.org
    https://www.aaos.org/quality/coding-and-reimbursement/resources-to-support-coding-appeals/shoulder-arthroscopy-appeals/
  6. 06
    aapc.com
    https://www.aapc.com/codes/cpt-codes/29807

Mira AI Scribe

Mira's AI scribe captures the SLAP tear clock-face location, number and brand of suture anchors placed, specific labral tissue quality findings, biceps root involvement, and whether any capsular work was performed and its relationship to the labral pathology. This prevents the most common audit flag for 29807 — an operative note that documents labral work without specifying anchor-based reattachment — and supplies the documentation needed to defend modifier 22 or rebut an NCCI bundle challenge on 29806.

See how Mira captures CPT 29807 documentation

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