Orthopedic Coding Alert

Append modifiers to grafts, open procedure, fracture reduction, and arthrodesis with posterior arch excision.The latest round of NCCI edits (18.1) may affect the way you report arthrodesis, tissue grafts, and fracture reduction with excision of a posterior vertebral component. Read on for advice on how to navigate the edits, effective April 1. The code 22100 (Partial excision of posterior vertebral component (eg, spinous process, lamina or facet) for intrinsic bony lesion, single vertebral segment; cervical) for partial excision of a posterior vertebral component has a number of codes that cannot be billed together without an allowable modifier. Another challenge lies in the codes 22101 (Partial excision of posterior vertebral component [eg, spinous process, lamina or facet] for intrinsic bony lesion, single vertebral segment; thoracic), and 22102 (Partial excision of posterior vertebral component [eg, spinous process, lamina or facet] for intrinsic bony lesion, single vertebral segment; lumbar). You again cannot bill [...]