Neurosurgery Coding Alert

Question: I have been holding my claims for the surgeon's work inserting an X stop device because I heard that we-re soon to get a category I code for this service. When will this new code be debuting?

Kansas Subscriber

Answer: You should report your surgeon's services with dates of service of Jan. 1, 2007, or afterward using the new T codes:

--0171T -- Insertion of posterior spinous process distraction device (including necessary removal of bone or ligament for insertion and imaging guidance), lumbar; single level

--+0172T -- ... each additional level (list separately in addition to code for primary procedure) (use 0172T in conjunction with code 0171T).

If the surgeon inserted an X stop device prior to Jan. 1, you should report the unlisted-procedure code, 22899 (Unlisted procedure, spine).

In addition, the request to CPT for a category I code for the X stop was recently withdrawn, so you should not hold your claims waiting for a numeric code. As an aside, even if CPT did announce a new category I code for this service, the code would probably take effect only at the date of its publication. So you should use the T codes unless you hear otherwise and should not hold claims