Wiki 3 level lumbar decompression/re-exploration

[CynthiaT]

My physician has asked me why there are zero RVU's attached to the cpt 63044 (add-on code for the re-exploration lumbar decompression) when he was under the impression that these codes are valued higher to account for additonal work involved with performing a re-exploration.

Please help me understand (so that I can explain it to him), the purpose behind '63044' not having RVU's attached.

Also, since there are no RVU's attached to 63044 (with primary code 63042), my physician is wondering what is the advantage in billing the re-exploration out rather, than using the codes (63047 & 63048) for the original procedure (because the add-ons have RVU's attached).

Thanks in advance!

 

[RebeccaWoodward*]

This carriers a payment status indicator of C.

http://www.cms.hhs.gov/hospitaloutpatientpps/hord/ItemDetail.asp?ItemID=CMS1204971

Addendum B

Your carriers will "price" these procedures and their RVU's

http://www.sofamordanek.com/spineline/hospital/outpatient_payment.html