Orthopedic Coding Alert
Decompression or Bony Lesion?
Question: One of our physicians performed a partial corpectomy at T-11 and a partial corpectomy at T-12, but I-m not sure how to report this. Should I report a corpectomy and an additional level? If not, how should I code it?
South Dakota Subscriber
Answer: You didn't indicate whether the surgeon performed the corpectomy for a metastatic tumor or burst fracture, and that affects your coding. If the procedure was for a metastatic tumor, you should use 63303 (Vertebral corpectomy, partial or complete ...), 63302 or 63303 and 63308 for additional levels.
If the surgeon performed the corpectomy for a burst fracture, you should report 63085 (Vertebral corpectomy, partial or complete ...) along with 63086 for any additional levels.
Orthopedic Coding Alert
- Op Report Examination:
If Hand Surgery Dissection Isn't 'Unusual,' Don't Append Modifier 22
Look for clues in the op note to signal the surgeon's extra work
Little-known fact: You [...] - News Briefs:
Expect Higher Reimbursement For G0289
You can look forward to $48 more in reimbursement when you report G0289 with your [...] - Location, Depth Crucial For Foreign-Body Removal Coding
You can look forward to $48 more in reimbursement when you report G0289 with your [...] - Solve Your Modifier 25 Mysteries at Long Last
Don't confuse a -0- global with no global Before you pull out your hair over [...] - You Be the Coder:
Consider Graft Type for OCD Repair
Question: Our surgeon documented an open repair of an osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) lesion of the [...] - Reader Questions:
Confirm Fracture Care Vs. Excision
Question: Our surgeon recently diagnosed and treated a left thumb accessory ossicle fracture. Which codes [...] - Reader Questions:
Remember Medicare's Post-Op Infection Rules
Question: We performed a total hip replacement (27130) and saw the patient three weeks later [...] - Reader Questions:
Decompression or Bony Lesion?
Question: One of our physicians performed a partial corpectomy at T-11 and a partial corpectomy [...] - Reader Questions:
Don't Expect Payment for 20930
Question: My spine surgeon performed an anterior interbody fusion, posterior scoliosis correction, and posterior fusion [...] - Reader Questions:
Get to Know Splinting/Strapping Differences
Question: What is the difference between splinting and strapping, and how can we determine when [...] - Don't Let Printing Errors Caused by the New CMS-1500 Form Foil Your Claims
Is your software ready to handle the changes? Now's the time to update your billing [...] - Get up to Speed On The CMS-1500 Changes
Review the final version of the form online
The current CMS-1500 form will not be compatible [...] - Revel in How Easy It Is to Get An NPI Number
To save yourself time and effort, gather info before you start You don't need to [...]
