Reader Questions:
Use Unlisted for Stabbing in the Back
Published on Tue Jan 27, 2009
Question: We have a patient who was stabbed in the back, and my doctor removed the knife, which was lodged within the body of S1.-Should I report an unlisted procedure code? Maryland Subscriber Answer: Because CPT contains no code for foreign body removal from the spine, you should report unlisted procedure code 22899 (Unlisted procedure, spine). Helpful hint: When reporting an unlisted-procedure code, include a full description of the procedure so the payer can determine the correct payment. As always when using unlisted-procedure codes, you should include the report to identify the specific effort involved, for example, using 63268 (Laminectomy for excision or evacuation of intraspinal lesion other than neoplasm, extradural; sacral) as a comparison if the physician used a posterior laminectomy with extradural approach.
