Neurosurgery Coding Alert

Know the bundling and learn the descriptor changes. You'll need to rethink how you're reporting your surgeon's arthrodesis services this year, thanks to combined codes and language changes in CPT®. Read on for advice on applying these updates and steer clear of denials for these spinal procedures. Apply These 3 Bundling Issues CPT® 2012 identifies the bundling of the codes 22612 (Arthrodesis, posterior or posterolateral technique, single level; lumbar [with lateral transverse technique, when performed]) and 22630 (Arthrodesis, posterior interbody technique, including laminectomy and/or discectomy to prepare interspace [other than for decompression], single interspace; lumbar) when performed together at the same level/interspace. "While codes 22630 and 22612 were considered separately identifiable in the past (although there was formerly an NCCI edit for several quarters bundling the codes that was subsequently reversed), the frequency with which both codes were reported together was so high that the Relativity Assessment Workgroup of the [...]