Glossary · Clinical

SLAP repair

SLAP repair is an arthroscopic surgical procedure that reattaches or debrides a torn superior labrum (anterior to posterior) in the shoulder joint. It is billed exclusively with CPT 29807, which is reserved for confirmed SLAP lesions only—not generic labral tears.

Verified May 8, 2026 · 8 sources ↓

Drawn from AAPCAses-assnIcdcodesOutsourcestrategiesCMS

Definition

Source · Editorial summary grounded in 8 cited references ↓

SLAP stands for Superior Labrum Anterior to Posterior. The superior labrum is the uppermost portion of the fibrocartilaginous rim that deepens the glenoid socket and anchors the long head of the biceps tendon. A SLAP tear disrupts this structure in the region roughly corresponding to the 10-o'clock to 2-o'clock position on the glenoid face. Tears are classified into four main types based on extent and biceps tendon involvement, and surgical approach—debridement, reattachment with suture anchors, or biceps tenodesis—depends on the type identified at arthroscopy.

Arthroscopic SLAP repair is coded with CPT 29807. This code is anatomically specific: it applies only when the surgeon repairs the superior labrum in the SLAP zone. Anterior, inferior, or posterior labral repairs—including Bankart lesions—fall under CPT 29806 (capsulorrhaphy). When a Type IV SLAP tear extends into the biceps tendon and the surgeon performs a concurrent biceps tenodesis, CPT 29828 is reported separately. If biceps tenotomy is performed instead, report CPT 29999 (unlisted arthroscopy procedure), because no dedicated arthroscopic tenotomy code exists.

On the diagnosis side, SLAP tears are captured in ICD-10-CM with codes such as S43.431A (initial encounter, right shoulder) or M75.81 (rotator cuff syndrome with labral involvement, depending on the specific payer and documentation context). Laterality and encounter type must be specified to avoid claim edits. Documentation must name the SLAP lesion explicitly—including lesion type when known—and describe the exact repair technique performed to support both the CPT selection and any add-on or modifier usage.

Why it matters

Using CPT 29807 for any labral tear that is not specifically documented as a SLAP lesion is a recognized billing error flagged by both the AAOS and NCCI. Payers routinely deny claims where the operative note lacks explicit SLAP language or where 29807 and 29806 are billed together without a modifier 59 and supporting documentation that the repairs addressed anatomically distinct areas. Because the two codes carry different relative value units and are subject to bundling edits, a miscoded claim can trigger recoupment, audit scrutiny, or systematic denial—directly affecting reimbursement for one of the more common shoulder arthroscopy procedures.

Common mistakes

Where people most often go wrong with this concept.

Source · Editorial brief grounded in cited references ↓

Applying 29807 to posterior or anterior labral tears that are not in the superior (10-o'clock to 2-o'clock) zone—those repairs belong under 29806.
Billing 29806 and 29807 together on the same claim without modifier 59 and documentation proving the repairs were performed in separate, distinct anatomical regions.
Failing to specify SLAP lesion type (I–IV) in the operative note, which weakens medical necessity support and increases audit exposure.
Reporting 29807 for a Bankart lesion based on verbal AMA guidance rather than operative documentation—payers audit to the written descriptor, not informal phone advice.
Omitting laterality or encounter type in the ICD-10-CM diagnosis code (e.g., using an unspecified shoulder code instead of specifying right or left), causing claim edits.
Billing 29806 once and adding it again for each additional quadrant repaired in a 360-degree labral repair—29806 is reported once regardless of how many non-superior regions are addressed.
Reporting a separate debridement or synovectomy code alongside 29806 when those services are bundled into the capsulorrhaphy descriptor.

Related codes

Codes commonly involved when this concept appears in practice.

CPT

ICD-10

M75.81

Modifiers

59 Distinct procedural service 22 Increased procedural services LT Left side RT Right side

Frequently asked questions

Source · Generated from the editorial pipeline, verified against 8 cited references ↓

01What CPT code is used for arthroscopic SLAP repair?

CPT 29807 is the correct code for arthroscopic repair of a confirmed SLAP lesion. It is anatomically specific and should not be used for labral tears outside the superior (10-to-2 o'clock) zone.

02Can 29806 and 29807 be billed together on the same claim?

Only when the surgeon performs both a capsulorrhaphy and a SLAP repair in anatomically distinct regions of the labrum. Modifier 59 is required, and supporting documentation must clearly describe separate repair sites. NCCI edits bundle this pair by default, and payers often request records before paying both codes.

03How do I code a Type IV SLAP repair that includes a biceps tenodesis?

Report 29807 for the SLAP repair and 29828 for the arthroscopic biceps tenodesis. If the surgeon instead performed a biceps tenotomy, use 29999 for the tenotomy because no dedicated arthroscopic tenotomy CPT code exists.

04What ICD-10-CM code maps to a SLAP tear?

S43.431A covers an initial encounter for a right shoulder SLAP tear; S43.432A covers the left. M75.81 may apply depending on clinical context and payer policy. Always specify laterality and encounter type to avoid claim edits.

05Does 29806 cover all non-SLAP labral repairs, including Bankart lesions?

Yes. Per AAOS guidance, CPT 29806 (capsulorrhaphy) is the appropriate code for anterior (Bankart), posterior, and inferior labral repairs. It is reported once per operative session regardless of how many non-superior quadrants are repaired.

06When is modifier 22 appropriate for a SLAP repair?

Modifier 22 can be added to 29807 when the operative note documents that the procedure was substantially more complex than a standard repair—for example, a multi-anchor reconstruction or combined pathology requiring significantly more time and effort. The surgeon must attest to the increased complexity in the note.

Sources & references

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

Mira AI Scribe

When Mira captures an operative note for a SLAP repair, it checks for three things before suggesting CPT 29807: 1. SLAP language confirmed — The note must include explicit terms such as 'SLAP lesion,' 'superior labral tear,' or a glenoid clock-face description in the 10-to-2 zone. Generic terms like 'labral tear' or 'labral fraying' do not qualify. 2. Lesion type documented — If the surgeon specifies Type I through IV, Mira flags whether additional codes (e.g., 29828 for biceps tenodesis in Type IV) or an unlisted code (29999 for arthroscopic tenotomy) should be appended. 3. Co-repair geography — If the note also documents anterior, inferior, or posterior labral work, Mira prompts the coder to evaluate 29806 as a separate line with modifier 59, and surfaces the NCCI bundle edit so the coder can confirm distinct anatomical locations before submitting. On the diagnosis side, Mira pre-populates laterality from the surgical site field and flags any unspecified shoulder ICD-10 code for resolution before claim submission. If the encounter type (initial vs. subsequent) is ambiguous, Mira surfaces a documentation query rather than defaulting to an assumption. Modifier 22 is suggested automatically when the operative note describes unusually extensive repair complexity—such as a multi-anchor reconstruction or concurrent labral pathology requiring significant additional time—provided the surgeon attestation supports increased procedural difficulty.

See Mira's approach

Related terms

Labrum (glenoid / acetabular) Anatomy

The labrum is a fibrocartilaginous rim that deepens a shallow ball-and-socket joint—the glenoid in the shoulder and the acetabulum in the hip—increasing articular contact area and contributing to joint stability. Tears of either structure are distinct diagnoses with separate ICD-10-CM codes, CPT codes, and documentation requirements.

Bankart repair Clinical

A Bankart repair is a surgical procedure that reattaches the torn anteroinferior glenoid labrum and capsulolabral complex to the glenoid rim, restoring anterior shoulder stability after dislocation. It is performed either open (CPT 23455) or arthroscopically (CPT 29806).