CPT 29871: ICD-10 codes that support medical necessity
These ICD-10-CM diagnoses support medical necessity for CPT 29871 under Medicare coverage policies (LCDs, NCDs, and Billing & Coding articles). Billing CPT 29871 with a diagnosis that isn't covered typically denies as CARC 50 — not medically necessary.
National approximation. Coverage varies by MAC and state — confirm against the specific LCD/NCD and article that applies to your jurisdiction and date of service.
| ICD-10 | Description |
|---|---|
| A18.02 | Tuberculous arthritis of other joints |
| A39.83 | Meningococcal arthritis |
| A39.84 | Postmeningococcal arthritis |
| A54.42 | Gonococcal arthritis |
| M00.061 | Staphylococcal arthritis, right knee |
| M00.062 | Staphylococcal arthritis, left knee |
| M00.069 | Staphylococcal arthritis, unspecified knee |
| M00.161 | Pneumococcal arthritis, right knee |
| M00.162 | Pneumococcal arthritis, left knee |
| M00.261 | Other streptococcal arthritis, right knee |
| M00.262 | Other streptococcal arthritis, left knee |
| M00.269 | Other streptococcal arthritis, unspecified knee |
| M00.861 | Arthritis due to other bacteria, right knee |
| M00.862 | Arthritis due to other bacteria, left knee |
| M00.869 | Arthritis due to other bacteria, unspecified knee |
| M01.X61 | Direct infection of right knee in infectious and parasitic diseases classified elsewhere |
| M01.X62 | Direct infection of left knee in infectious and parasitic diseases classified elsewhere |
| M01.X69 | Direct infection of unspecified knee in infectious and parasitic diseases classified elsewhere |
Frequently asked questions
Which ICD-10 codes support medical necessity for CPT 29871?
Medicare coverage policies (LCDs/NCDs and Billing & Coding articles) list 18 ICD-10 diagnosis codes that support medical necessity for CPT 29871. The covered codes are listed on this page. Coverage varies by MAC/state — always confirm against the policy that applies to you.
What is a medical-necessity (LCD/NCD) crosswalk?
A claim whose procedure isn't supported by a covered diagnosis denies as "not medically necessary" (CARC 50). CMS coverage policies define which diagnoses justify a procedure; this page is the ICD-10 → CPT 29871 view of that relationship.
More free billing tools: all crosswalks · NCCI edits · Medicare fees · denial codes
Informational only, not coding, billing, or legal advice. Based on CMS Medicare Coverage Database data; verify the current LCD/NCD for your MAC before billing.
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