Radiology Coding Alert

Question: Which supervision and interpretation code is appropriate for kyphoplasty? Codes 72291-72292 specify "vertebroplasty."

Answer: For kyphoplasty, you should consider either 72291 (Radiological supervision and interpretation, percutaneous vertebroplasty, vertebral augmentation, or sacral augmentation [sacroplasty], including cavity creation, per vertebral body or sacrum; under fluoroscopic guidance) or 72292 (... under CT guidance), depending on whether the radiologist uses computed tomography (CT) in addition to fluoroscopic guidance.

Although the code definitions don't specify the term "kyphoplasty," they do indicate they're appropriate for vertebral augmentation, which includes kyphoplasty. In addition, CPT notes with 22523-+22525 (Percutaneous vertebral augmentation, including cavity creation [fracture reduction and bone biopsy included when performed] using mechanical device, one vertebral body, unilateral or bilateral cannulation [e.g., kyphoplasty] ...) indicate that you should use 72291 or 72292 for supervision and interpretation.

Codes 72291-72292 are appropriate for reporting supervision and interpretation for other services, as well, such as 22520-+22522 (Percutaneous vertebroplasty, one vertebral body, unilateral or bilateral injection ...).

Remember: Append modifier 26 (Professional service) to the appropriate radiology service code if you need to show that the radiologist provided only the physician component of the service and did not supply the equipment or other services.