Orthopedic Coding Alert
Look to T Codes for These Arthroplasties
Question: Encounter notes indicate that the orthopedist removed two total disc arthroplasties from a patient. How do I code for this surgery? Rhode Island Subscriber Answer:It depends on whether the removals were cervical or lumbar. If the removals were cervical, report 22864 (Removal of total disc arthroplasty (artificial disc), anterior approach, single interspace; cervical) for the first removal and +0095T (Removal of total disc arthroplasty (artificial disc), anterior approach, each additional interspace, cervical (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure)) for the second. If the removals were lumbar, report 22865 (Removal of total disc arthroplasty (artificial disc), anterior approach, single interspace; lumbar) for the first removal and +0164T (Removal of total disc arthroplasty, (artificial disc), anterior approach, each additional interspace, lumbar (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure)) for the second. Category III refresher: Also known as T codes, “CPT® Category III codes are a set of temporary (T) codes assigned to emerging technologies, services, and procedures. These codes are intended to be used for data collection to substantiate more widespread usage or to provide documentation for the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval process,” according to Cigna.
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