ASC Surgical: CPT Codes on the Medicare Covered Procedures List (Addendum AA)
The codes in this category sit on CMS Addendum AA, the ASC Covered Procedures List. In plain terms, these are surgical procedures Medicare will pay for when they are performed in a certified Ambulatory Surgery Center. When a procedure is on Addendum AA, the ASC has a clear path to a facility payment under the ASC payment system, and the surgeon bills separately for the professional component.
This list spans the high-volume surgery that defines outpatient care. You will find orthopedic work such as 27447 (total knee arthroplasty) and 29881 (knee arthroscopy with meniscectomy), ophthalmology such as 66984 (cataract extraction with lens insertion), and gastroenterology such as 45378 (diagnostic colonoscopy). Each individual code page below tells you the CMS short descriptor and how the code maps to ASC payment status.
For billers, the takeaway is straightforward. Addendum AA status answers the facility-coverage question, but it does not by itself answer whether a specific patient encounter will be paid. Medical necessity, the correct diagnosis pairing, site-of-service rules, and payer-specific prior authorization still apply, and commercial and Medicare Advantage plans can set their own conditions. DataLily's procedure library tracks CPT-specific prior-authorization and documentation requirements so teams can confirm those details before the case is scheduled.
ASC Surgical Procedures codes(showing 120 of 4,832)
What does it mean when a CPT code is on the ASC Covered Procedures List?
It means Medicare will pay an Ambulatory Surgery Center a facility fee for that surgical procedure when it is performed in a certified ASC. These codes are published on CMS Addendum AA. The surgeon still bills separately for the professional service. Covered status confirms the site of service is payable under Medicare, but the claim must still meet medical necessity and any payer-specific requirements.
Are orthopedic and cataract procedures done in an ASC?
Yes. Many common orthopedic and ophthalmology procedures are on the ASC Covered Procedures List. Examples include total knee arthroplasty (27447), knee arthroscopy with meniscectomy (29881), and cataract extraction with lens insertion (66984). When a code appears on Addendum AA, Medicare pays the ASC facility fee, subject to the usual coverage and documentation rules.
If a code is on Addendum AA, is the claim guaranteed to be paid?
No. Addendum AA confirms that Medicare pays the procedure in an ASC setting, but payment for a specific case still depends on medical necessity, the supporting diagnosis, correct coding, and any prior authorization the payer requires. Commercial and Medicare Advantage plans may apply additional rules. Verify CPT-specific authorization and documentation needs before the case is scheduled.