Orthopedic Coding Alert

Question: Encounter notes indicate that the orthopedist performed a spinal osteotomy via anterior approach on the following segments: C6-C7, T1-T2, and T2-T3. All of the osteotomies included discectomy. How should I code this encounter?

Idaho Subscriber

Answer: You should report:

• 22222 (Osteotomy of spine, including discectomy, anterior approach, single vertebral segment; thoracic) for the T1-T2 thoracic osteotomy
• +22226 x 2 (… each additional vertebral segment (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure)) for the C6-C7 and T2-T3 osteotomies.

Add-on reminder: The +22226 add-on code is universal for this spinal osteotomy code set. You should use it for each additional vertebral segment treated in a given spinal area: cervical (22220 [Osteotomy of spine, including discectomy, anterior approach, single vertebral segment; cervical]), thoracic (22222), or lumbar (22224 [Osteotomy of spine, including discectomy, anterior approach, single vertebral segment; lumbar]).