This Medical Policy is provided for informational purposes only.

If Members have any questions about the medical necessity of a service or procedure, they should discuss the question with their Network Provider or call a member of our Customer Service Team.

MEDICAL POLICY USE DISCLAIMER

  1. Medical Policy is used by Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Mississippi, A Mutual Insurance Company ("BCBSMS") as one set of guidelines (among other sets of guidelines) to assist BCBSMS in making benefit coverage decisions. BCBSMS utilizes Medical Policy adopted by our Medical Policy Advisory Committee ("MPAC") which is supported by the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association Medical Policy, research and development. Medical Policies are the property of BCBSMS and any use of Medical Policy not agreed to by BCBSMS is strictly prohibited. The use of Medical Policy for purposes related to the health care of a BCBSMS plan member is permitted and is not a violation of the proprietary rights of BCBSMS.
  2. These Medical Policies are based on scientifically meritorious evidence provided through research for a particular medical technology. Medical Policy is also based on data from peer-reviewed scientific literature, from criteria developed by specialty societies and from guidelines adopted by other health care organizations.
  3. These Medical Policies apply to members/subscribers who have health insurance through BCBSMS. This Medical Policy also applies to Members of a self-insured group health plan for which Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Mississippi provides claims administration and persons covered by a Medicare Supplement policy offered by BCBSMS. This Medical Policy does not apply to any other individuals. Medical Policies may differ for Federal employees covered under the Federal Employees Health Benefits Plan.
  4. In the event of any conflict between this Medical Policy and any benefit plan, Summary Plan Description or other coverage document, the benefit plan, Summary Plan Description or other coverage document will govern.
  5. Medical technology is rapidly changing and these Medical Policies are subject to change without notice. Also, please be aware that as a result of ongoing changes being made to Medical Policy, BCBSMS cannot and does not guarantee that these Medical Policies are current.

BCBSMS Medical Policies are Subject to the Following Restrictions


This Medical Policy is provided for informational purposes only.

If Members have any questions about the medical necessity of a service or procedure, they should discuss the question with their Network Provider or call a member of our Customer Service Team.

MEDICAL POLICY USE DISCLAIMER

  1. Medical Policy is used by Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Mississippi, A Mutual Insurance Company ("BCBSMS") as one set of guidelines (among other sets of guidelines) to assist BCBSMS in making benefit coverage decisions. BCBSMS utilizes Medical Policy adopted by our Medical Policy Advisory Committee ("MPAC") which is supported by the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association Medical Policy, research and development. Medical Policies are the property of BCBSMS and any use of Medical Policy not agreed to by BCBSMS is strictly prohibited. The use of Medical Policy for purposes related to the health care of a BCBSMS plan member is permitted and is not a violation of the proprietary rights of BCBSMS.
  2. These Medical Policies are based on scientifically meritorious evidence provided through research for a particular medical technology. Medical Policy is also based on data from peer-reviewed scientific literature, from criteria developed by specialty societies and from guidelines adopted by other health care organizations.
  3. These Medical Policies apply to members/subscribers who have health insurance through BCBSMS. This Medical Policy also applies to persons covered by the Mississippi Children's Health Insurance Program, Members of a self-insured group health plan for which Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Mississippi provides claims administration and persons covered by a Medicare Supplement policy offered by BCBSMS. This Medical Policy does not apply to any other individuals. Medical Policies may differ for Federal employees covered under the Federal Employees Health Benefits Plan.
  4. In the event of any conflict between this Medical Policy and any benefit plan, Summary Plan Description or other coverage document, the benefit plan, Summary Plan Description or other coverage document will govern.
  5. Medical technology is rapidly changing and these Medical Policies are subject to change without notice. Also, please be aware that as a result of ongoing changes being made to Medical Policy, BCBSMS cannot and does not guarantee that these Medical Policies are current.

BCBSMS Medical Policies are Subject to the Following Restrictions


This Medical Policy is provided for informational purposes only.

If Members have any questions about the medical necessity of a service or procedure, they should discuss the question with their Network Provider or call a member of our Customer Service Team.

MEDICAL POLICY USE DISCLAIMER

  1. Medical Policy is used by Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Mississippi, A Mutual Insurance Company ("BCBSMS") as one set of guidelines (among other sets of guidelines) to assist BCBSMS in making benefit coverage decisions. BCBSMS utilizes Medical Policy adopted by our Medical Policy Advisory Committee ("MPAC") which is supported by the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association Medical Policy, research and development. Medical Policies are the property of BCBSMS and any use of Medical Policy not agreed to by BCBSMS is strictly prohibited. The use of Medical Policy for purposes related to the health care of a BCBSMS plan member is permitted and is not a violation of the proprietary rights of BCBSMS.
  2. These Medical Policies are based on scientifically meritorious evidence provided through research for a particular medical technology. Medical Policy is also based on data from peer-reviewed scientific literature, from criteria developed by specialty societies and from guidelines adopted by other health care organizations.
  3. These Medical Policies apply to members/subscribers who have health insurance through BCBSMS. This Medical Policy also applies to persons covered by the Mississippi Children's Health Insurance Program, Members of a self-insured group health plan for which Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Mississippi provides claims administration and persons covered by a Medicare Supplement policy offered by BCBSMS. This Medical Policy does not apply to any other individuals. Medical Policies may differ for Federal employees covered under the Federal Employees Health Benefits Plan.
  4. In the event of any conflict between this Medical Policy and any benefit plan, Summary Plan Description or other coverage document, the benefit plan, Summary Plan Description or other coverage document will govern.
  5. Medical technology is rapidly changing and these Medical Policies are subject to change without notice. Also, please be aware that as a result of ongoing changes being made to Medical Policy, BCBSMS cannot and does not guarantee that these Medical Policies are current.

BCBSMS Medical Policies are Subject to the Following Restrictions

Medical Policy Search
Printer Friendly Version Arthroscopic Debridement and Lavage as Treatment of Osteoarthritis of the Knee

Arthroscopic Debridement and Lavage as Treatment of Osteoarthritis of the Knee

 

DESCRIPTION

Arthroscopic lavage and cartilage debridement are operative treatments for osteoarthritis (OA). Lavage is a procedure in which intra-articular fluid is aspirated and the joint is washed out, removing inflammatory mediators, debris, or small loose bodies from the osteoarthritic knee. Articular debridement involves removal of cartilage or meniscal fragments, but also can include cartilage abrasion, excision of osteophytes, and synovectomy. Debridement is intended to improve symptoms and joint function in patients with mechanical symptoms such as locking or catching of the knee. Because lavage and debridement are often performed at the same time, it is difficult to attribute the success or failure of arthroscopy to a specific procedure. 

Osteoarthritis (OA) affects about 21 million people in the United States. By age 65 years, the majority of the population has radiographic evidence of osteoarthritis and 11% have symptomatic OA of the knee. The diagnosis of osteoarthritis is established using a combination of clinical information derived from history, physical examination, radiologic imaging, and laboratory evaluation. An algorithm of diagnostic criteria for OA of the knee has been proposed by the American College of Rheumatology (ACR). The diagnosis of OA of the knee is defined as presenting with pain and meeting at least five of the following criteria:

  • Patient older than 50 years of age
  • Less than 30 minutes of morning stiffness
  • Crepitus (noisy, grating sound) on active motion
  • Bony tenderness
  • Bony enlargement
  • No palpable warmth of synovium
  • Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) <40 mm/hr
  • Rheumatoid factor <1:40
  • Noninflammatory synovial fluid

The presence of clinical symptoms of OA does not always correlate well with the degree of abnormality seen radiographically. It has been noted that approximately 40% of patients who have severe findings on x-rays report no symptoms; conversely, patients with clinical symptoms may show no significant radiological changes.

Treatment for OA of the knee aims to alleviate pain and improve function to mitigate reduction in activity. However, most treatments do not modify the natural history or progression of OA, and thus are not considered curative. Nonsurgical modalities that are used include exercise; weight loss; various supportive devices; acetaminophen or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen; nutritional supplements (glucosamine and chondroitin); and intra-articular viscosupplements. Corticosteroid injection may be considered when relief from NSAIDs is insufficient or the patient is at risk from gastrointestinal adverse effects. If symptom relief is inadequate with conservative measures, invasive treatments may be considered. Operative treatments for symptomatic OA of the knee include arthroscopic lavage and cartilage debridement, osteotomy, and ultimately total joint arthroplasty. Surgical procedures intended to repair or restore articular cartilage in the knee, e.g., abrasion arthroplasty, microfracture techniques, and autologous chondrocyte implantation, are appropriate only for younger patients with focal cartilage defects secondary to injury and are not addressed in this policy.

 

POLICY

Arthroscopic debridement and/or lavage are considered not medically necessary for treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee.

Note: Arthroscopic debridement may be considered medically necessary when preoperative imaging indicates that specific anatomic lesions other than osteoarthritis, e.g., large meniscal tears, loose bodies, are the cause of the patient’s symptoms regardless of the presence of osteoarthritis.

 

POLICY EXCEPTIONS

None

 

POLICY GUIDELINES

The coverage guidelines outlined in the Medical Policy Manual should not be used in lieu of the Member’s specific benefit plan language.

 

POLICY HISTORY

5/26/2009: Policy added

7/16/2009: Approved by Medical Policy Advisory Committee (MPAC)

02/23/2011: Policy reviewed; no changes.

01/19/2012: Policy reviewed; no changes.

04/02/2013: Policy reviewed; no changes.

 

SOURCES

Blue Cross & Blue Shield Association policy # 7.01.117 

 

CODE REFERENCE

This is not an all-inclusive list of non-covered procedure codes.

All codes billed for this procedure are considered non-covered and not eligible for coverage.

Non-Covered Codes        

Code Number

Description

CPT

29871

Arthroscopy, knee, surgical; for infection, lavage and drainage

29874Arthroscopy knee, surgical; for removal of loose body or foreign body (e.g., osteochondritis dissecans fragmentation, chondral fragmentation)
29877Arthroscopy, knee, surgical; debridement/shaving of articular cartilage (chondroplasty)
  

ICD-9 Procedure

 

 

ICD-9 Diagnosis

715.06

Osteoarthrosis, generalized, lower leg

715.16Osteoarthrosis, localized, primary, lower leg
715.26Osteoarthrosis, localized, secondary, lower leg
715.36Osteoarthrosis, localized, not specified whether primary or secondary, lower leg
715.96Osteoarthrosis, unspecified whether generalized or localized, lower leg

 

 

HCPCS

 

 

 

 

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