Neurosurgery Coding Alert

Question: If the doctor removes a very large tumor from L4 to S2 can I bill 63282 and 63283?

North Carolina Subscriber

Answer: You cannot bill 63282 (Laminectomy for biopsy/excision of intraspinal neoplasm; intradural, extramedullary, lumbar) and 63283 (Laminectomy for biopsy/excision of intraspinal neoplasm; intradural, sacral) together. Even though the tumor crosses regions of the spinal anatomy, only one code is typically allowed.  Exceptions to this rule include excision of separate tumors (one at L4 and another one at S2) or if the tumor extended throughout the majority of both the lumbar and sacral spines.