Neurosurgery Coding Alert

A new lesion therapy gets its own code in 2022 … and a lot more.

Many years, the announcement of the new CPT^® codes leaves neurosurgery coders underwhelmed. There aren’t a lot of new codes relative to the specialty, and deletions aren’t any more common.

This is not one of those years.

The lowdown: CPT^® 2022 will add about a dozen new codes that neurosurgery coders will want to note, as well as several important deletions of current codes. Read on for info on all that’s new … and deleted … for 2022.

LITT Highlights New Code Additions

The following codes will be added to CPT^® 2022:

• 61736 (Laser interstitial thermal therapy (LITT) of lesion, intracranial, including burr hole(s), with magnetic resonance imaging guidance, when performed; single trajectory for 1 simple lesion)
• 61737 (Laser interstitial thermal therapy (LITT) of lesion, intracranial, including burr hole(s), with magnetic resonance imaging guidance, when performed; multiple trajectories for multiple or complex lesion(s))
• +63052 (Laminectomy, facetectomy, or foraminotomy (unilateral or bilateral with decompression of spinal cord, cauda equina and/or nerve root[s] [eg, spinal or lateral recess stenosis]), during posterior interbody arthrodesis, lumbar; single vertebral segment (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure))
• +63053 (Laminectomy, facetectomy, or foraminotomy (unilateral or bilateral with decompression of spinal cord, cauda equina and/or nerve root[s] [eg, spinal or lateral recess stenosis]), during posterior interbody arthrodesis, lumbar; each additional segment (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure))
• 64582 (Open implantation of hypoglossal nerve neurostimulator array, pulse generator, and distal respiratory sensor electrode or electrode array)
• 64583 (Revision or replacement of hypoglossal nerve neurostimulator array and distal respiratory sensor electrode or electrode array, including connection to existing pulse generator)
• 64584 (Removal of hypoglossal nerve neurostimulator array, pulse generator, and distal respiratory sensor electrode or electrode array)
• 64628 (Thermal destruction of intraosseous basivertebral nerve, including all imaging guidance; first 2 vertebral bodies, lumbar or sacral)
• +64629 (Thermal destruction of intraosseous basivertebral nerve, including all imaging guidance; each additional vertebral body, lumbar or sacral (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure))

Say Goodbye to Current Laminectomy/Cordotomy Codes

CPT^® 2022 will also delete the following codes:

• 63194 (Laminectomy with cordotomy, with section of 1 spinothalamic tract, 1 stage; cervical)
• 63195 (Laminectomy with cordotomy, with section of 1 spinothalamic tract, 1 stage; thoracic)
• 63196 (Laminectomy with cordotomy, with section of both spinothalamic tracts, 1 stage; cervical)
• 63198 (Laminectomy with cordotomy with section of both spinothalamic tracts, 2 stages within 14 days; cervical)
• 63199 (Laminectomy with cordotomy with section of both spinothalamic tracts, 2 stages within 14 days; thoracic)

Look to future issues of Neurosurgery Coding Alert for more information on how the CPT^® 2022 code additions and deletions will affect your coding.