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Neurosurgery Coding Alert

Search for Key Words in the Operative Report When Selecting Spinal Codes

Published on Sun Jun 01, 2003

When you report spinal procedures, key words in the operative report can guide your code selection, as follows:
Look for:

"Decompression" 63081-63091 or 63075-63078 "Total" or "near complete" removal of vertebral body or "corpectomy" or "body resection": 63081-63091 (These procedures include removal of intervertebral disks) Removal of "osteophyte(s)" or "bone spurs" at "interspace": 63075-63078 (These procedures include removal of intervertebral disks) No mention of decompression 63300-63308, 22100-22103 or 22210-22226 "Total/complete" or "near total/complete" removal of vertebral body, or "Corpectomy" or "body resection" plus mention of "intraspinal lesion": 63300-63308 (These procedures include removal of intervertebral disks) Removal/excision of "posterior vertebral component(s)," which may include the spinous process, lamina or facet, plus mention of "lesion(s)" of the bone: 22100-22103 (These procedures do not include removal of intervertebral disks) Removal/excision of "osteophyte(s)," "bone spurs" or "exostoses" for correction of "spinal deformity": 22210-22226 (These procedures may include removal of intervertebral disks).  
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