In regards, to the additional question on this thread about HCPCS supply code for spinal instrumentation, I copy and pasted below this notation I found on Medtronic's Spineline
Hospital > C-Codes for Spinal Devices
Hospitals are required to use C-codes to report certain drugs, biologicals and devices used in conjuction with outpatient procedures billed and paid for under the Medicare Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment System (HOPPS).
While there may be C-codes that are appropriate for describing a few of Medtronic Sofamor Danek's technologies, the technologies' indication and application in instrumented spine procedures precludes the assignment of a C-code to the products.
C-codes report devices used in conjunction with outpatient procedures billed and paid for under Medicare HOPPS (outpatient procedures only).
All instrumented spine procedures are on Medicare's "Inpatient List." The inpatient list specifies those services that are only paid when provided in an inpatient setting.
Because instrumented spinal procedures are "inpatient only" and C-codes represent devices used in an outpatient setting, C-codes do not exist for MSD's products.
For further information, please contact the SPINELINE® (hospital and physician coding/billing support) at (877) 690-5353 or
spinalcodinghospital@medtronic.com.