Neurology & Pain Management Coding Alert

CT versus fluoro is your first coding clue.Radiological supervision is a vital component of vertebroplasty procedures and coding. If your pain management specialist performs vertebroplasty, get the most from your claims by remembering three simple things for reporting radiological supervision. Start With the Correct Imaging ChoicesVertebroplasty is a minimally invasive, image-guided therapy used to relieve pain from a vertebral fracture. Percutaneous vertebroplasty usually includes injecting a special cement (polymethylmethacrylate, or PMMA) into the affected vertebral bodies. CPT® includes three codes for vertebroplasty: 22520 -- Percutaneous vertebroplasty (bone biopsy included when performed), 1 vertebral body, unilateral or bilateral injection; thoracic 22521 -- Percutaneous vertebroplasty (bone biopsy included when performed), 1 vertebral body, unilateral or bilateral injection lumbar +22522 -- (Percutaneous vertebroplasty [bone biopsy included when performed], 1 vertebral body, unilateral or bilateral injection; each additional thoracic or lumbar vertebral body [List separately in addition to code for primary procedure]). The physician uses imaging guidance [...]