Neurosurgery Coding Alert
Count Spinal Defects for +22851
Question: Our surgeon places one spinal cage at T3-T4 and two cages at level T5-T6. How can we report for these cages?
Alaska Subscriber
Answer: You report +22851 (Application of intervertebral biomechanical device[s] [e.g., synthetic cage(s), methylmethacrylate] to vertebral defect or interspace [List separately in addition to code for primary procedure]) for one spinal cage at T3-T4 and +22851-59 (Distinct procedural service) for two cages at level T5-T6.
When reporting +22851, you count the number of spinal defects treated, not the number of devices placed within a single defect. If the surgeon uses multiple devices at one defect, you report only a single unit of +22851. If, however, the surgeon places devices at more than one spinal defect, you report one unit of +22851 for each individual spinal defect treated. The additional units would be appended with modifier 59 to signify the separate anatomical sites.
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