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Neurosurgery Coding Alert

READER QUESTIONS:

Neoplasm Makes the Difference With 63270, 63275

Published on Sun Jan 01, 2006

Question: My doctor states he did hemilaminectomy with resection of extradural mass located at C7-T1. Can you help me figure out the correct code to use?


Pennsylvania Subscriber


Answer: The answer depends on the type of mass the doctor operated on. If the mass was a neoplasm, you should report 63275 (Laminectomy for biopsy/excision of intraspinal neoplasm; extradural, cervical).

If it was not a neoplasm, look at code 63270 (Laminectomy for excision of intraspinal lesion other than neoplasm, intradural; cervical). For example, this is the code you would report for excision of a synovial cyst. You should submit the diagnosis and the procedure codes via a pathology report, in case of audit.
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