Wiki Billing instrumentation code

[Mluong]

This is a one-level anterior cervical fusion. After completing fusion and securing interbody cage, the surgeon attempted to use one level cervical plate to further stabilize the cervical spine. Due to spondylolithesis, the plate did not align very well, so the surgeon decided to remove the plate.
My question is if the surgeon can bill 22845 in this case, given that he did place the instrument then removed it due to pt’s condition.

 

[amyjph]

I would ask them about it. I bet they would say they don't want to. Otherwise, it might be a 53 but that seems weird to me. I probably wouldn't report since the plate was not put in.