The provider uses a transpedicular approach to repair a bulging lumbar disc without manipulating the spinal cord. The approach is through the side of the pedicle of one lumbar vertebra, known as a transpedicular approach. A far lateral herniated intervertebral disc may require a different approach such as a transfacet or lateral extraforaminal approach. This service is done to relieve pressure on the spinal cord, equina, or nerve roots.
For clinical responsibility, terminology, tips and additional info
start codify free trial.
Know that approach is vital to coding. Patients reporting to the surgeon for vertebral corpectomy could create confusion, as there are some puzzling aspects when it comes to coding this procedure. Such as? You’ll need to identify the section of [...]
Know that approach is vital to coding. Patients reporting to the surgeon for vertebral corpectomy could create confusion, as there are some puzzling aspects when it comes to coding this procedure. Such as? You’ll need to identify the section of [...]
Providers rely on injections, rehab, PT before surgery. Once your provider confirms a case of spinal stenosis and diagnoses it, they’ll be ready to treat the condition. Surgery for spinal stenosis is always a possibility, but there are also less [...]
Question: The day after a level-four office evaluation and management (E/M) service for an established patient, the surgeon performs a transpedicular approach with spinal cord decompression at T11-T12, L1-L2, and L2-L3. How should I report this encounter? Idaho Subscriber Answer: You’ll need [...]
In a rare move, CMS increased the CF after the final rule this year. The new year has arrived, and with it comes some clarifications on certain issues that coders will need to know in order to code correctly in [...]
In a rare move, CMS increased the CF after the final rule this year. The new year has arrived, and with it comes some clarifications on certain issues that coders will need to know in order to code correctly in [...]
Know the rules when surgeon performs arthrodesis across multiple interspaces. The 2019 update to the Correct Coding Initiative (CCI) Policy Manual for Medicare Services is out, bringing plenty of changes marked in bright right italic font in the new version. [...]
Question: What would be the difference between 63030 versus 63056 far lateral discectomy? Does the code 63056 apply to midline incisions for lumbar disc herniations? What is a far lateral disc herniation? Do midline incisions apply to the far lateral herniations? [...]
Question: Our surgeon performed a right L3-L4 lateral transforaminal discectomy with microsurgical technique. He also inserted a spinal needle and obtained an x-ray for initial localization. How can we report this procedure? Codify Subscriber Answer: The information you have provided is [...]
Question: One of the patients treated by our neurosurgeon had a pathologic fracture of L4 with inversion of left pedicle and foramen and compression of nerve root at L3-L4. The following procedures were done for nerve compression with epidural mass [...]
