Orthopedic Coding Alert
Use T Codes for Additional Interspace Removals
Question: Encounter notes indicate that the surgeon removed a total disc arthroplasty (artificial disc) on a patient. They performed the removal on two interspaces. How should I report this encounter? Illinois Subscriber Answer: You need to go back and check the encounter notes to see if the artificial discs were cervical or lumbar. You’ll also need to use Category III codes (T codes) for the second interspace disc removal. If the removal was 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 removal was lumbar, report 22865 (… 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.
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