CPT^® 22556, Under Anterior or Anterolateral Approach Technique Arthrodesis Procedures on the Spine (Vertebral Column)

The Current Procedural Terminology (CPT^®) code 22556 as maintained by American Medical Association, is a medical procedural code under the range - Anterior or Anterolateral Approach Technique Arthrodesis Procedures on the Spine (Vertebral Column).

Additional/Related Information

Tabs

Summary

The provider performs arthrodesis, also known as spinal fusion, in the upper back, to permanently join two vertebrae, the interlocking bones of the spine, to alleviate persistent pain caused by a herniated, or bulging, disk, or other spinal condition. He makes an incision in the side of the chest to access the spine and remove disk material.

For clinical responsibility, terminology, tips and additional info
start codify free trial.

View any code changes for 2024 as well as historical information on code creation and revision.

Crosswalks

Tabs

Combat the #1 denial reason - mismatched CPT-ICD-9 codes - with top Medicare carrier and private payer accepted diagnoses for the chosen CPT® code.

View the CPT® code's corresponding procedural code and DRG. In a click, check the DRG's IPPS allowable, length of stay, and more. To plug inpatient facility revenue drains, subscribe to DRG Coder today.

Crosswalk to an anesthesia code and its base units, and calculate payments in a snap! Subscribe to Anesthesia Coder today.

View matching HCPCS Level II codes and their definitions.

Forum

Have a question about CPT Code 22556 ? Start a discussion here

Bone Marrow Aspiration/Marrow Coding HELP!

[b]The issue is resolved for 2018[/b] For 2018: 38222 - Diagnostic bone marrow; biopsy(ies) and aspiration(s) will take care of this issue. Until then, 38220 is unbundled when reported with 38221 unl... [ Read More ]

CANPC Anesthesiology coding essentials book 62 p. (20-45)

CANPC Anesthesiology coding essentials for successful anesthesiology coding by Vino C. Mody Jr., M.D., COC, CPC, CCS-P, CANPC, CCVTC Case 20 Anesthesiologist personally provided the anesthesiology for... [ Read More ]

ORIF, CORPECTOMY and ARTHRODESIS

Dear List, I need your help on the following: PROCEDURE: ORIF, Corpectomy and Arthrodesis. The surgeon performs and documents these procedures on his operative report. (T12-L2) [SIZE="3"][/SIZE] Cod... [ Read More ]

Billing 22551 and 22554?

What the dr coded looks like it is correct. Per the description in CPT, you can only use 22585 with 22554, 22556 and 22558 so you are going to have to use the second primary code, (22554). There is ... [ Read More ]

Thoracotomy for exposure for disk decompresion

I'd suggest -62. (22556-62? Consult other Dr for code they are submitting) See guidelines before CPT 22548 for clarification. Only one of the neurosurgeons can be a primary (-62) the other will be t... [ Read More ]

Co-Surgeon coding

[b]Opening MAY be co-surgery[/b] Arlene, I respectfully disagree. It all depends on what was done. Our general surgeons will typically open (and close) for the Ortho surgeons performing an anterior... [ Read More ]

Coding Help

I believe you need to call the other surgeon's office to see what they billed. May need to bill this with modifier 62 if the exposure is included with the CPT codes the primary surgeon is billing. See... [ Read More ]

Does anyone know

If your surgeon performed the approach and the other surgeon performed the fusion, you both would report 22556-62. As for the assistant, there needs to be good documentation to warrant the need of the... [ Read More ]

Does anyone know

I have a not been able to find anything in writing on this so I hope someone can help me out. Our doctor did the approach on a back procedure and then turned the procedure over to the other surgeon .... [ Read More ]

22851 & 22842

:confused: I work for an Orthopaedic Office and we do a lot of spinal surgerys. The doctors kept billing code 22851, 22842 on separate tickets instead of with a primary code. I got them to correct tha... [ Read More ]

View All