Neurosurgery Coding Alert

Question: When bone chips are used to fill the intervertebral space, do we need to report cage or dowel to bill 22630?

Ohio Subscriber

Answer: Code 22630 (Arthrodesis, posterior interbody technique, including laminectomy and/or discectomy to prepare interspace [other than for decompression], single interspace; lumbar) includes arthrodesis using bone grafts of various types. The fusion can be accompanied by mechanical devices like cages or other prosthetic devices. Bone chips are a method for interbody fusion for 22630. You needn't report the mechanical devices.