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Orthopedic Coding Alert

CPT®2012 Update:

Ace Bone Biopsies With Vertebroplasties: Here's The Scoop

Published on Wed Feb 15, 2012

Locate the levels for primary procedure and biopsy.If your surgeon performed a bone biopsy with vertebroplasty, you'll need to know how to report it and what to do if the vertebroplasty and biopsy are at the same level. Follow the examples below to strengthen your vertebroplasty reporting this year.Mark the Change in Code Descriptor(s)The 2012 CPT® codes for vertebroplasty have a revision in the code descriptors which clearly specifies that you include the bone biopsy when one is performed. The revisions in code descriptors are below: 22520 (Percutaneous vertebroplasty [bone biopsy included when performed], 1 vertebral body, unilateral or bilateral injection; thoracic)22521 (Percutaneous vertebroplasty [bone biopsy included when performed], 1 vertebral body, unilateral or bilateral injection; lumbar)+22522 (Percutaneous vertebroplasty [bone biopsy included when performed], 1 vertebral body, unilateral or bilateral injection; each additional thoracic or lumbar vertebral body [List separately in addition to code for primary procedure])The revision in these [...]
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