Wiki Second 22851 getting denied????

[lodawnyoung]

I am receiving denials from BCBS for a muliti level fusion ie;
22551 First level
22552 Second level
22845 Instrumentation
22851 Cage first interspace
22851-59 Cage second interspace
They are being denied as duplicate. Is anyone else having this problem? Do you see anything I should be doing differently?
Thanks,

 

[OCD_coder]

There is something wrong with their computer. When we had this problem it took me 3 calls before I could get someone to look into it. The 2nd level is an add-on code and is billable. Keep pursuing it, you have coded it correctly.

 

[RebeccaWoodward*]

I am receiving denials from BCBS for a muliti level fusion ie;
22551 First level
22552 Second level
22845 Instrumentation
22851 Cage first interspace
22851-59 Cage second interspace
They are being denied as duplicate. Is anyone else having this problem? Do you see anything I should be doing differently?
Thanks,

Typically, I don't have issues with reporting this code. When I have a difficult carrier, I just sumit the operative note indicating the additional level and it's paid.

 

[lodawnyoung]

Thanks for the replies. I will try them out. Why do they have to make it so difficult?

 

[caromissunc1]

Additional Info....

I used to have that exact problem. Now, before I send out an electronic claim, I double click on the lines of 22851. There is a place to type addtional information. I always put the disc space that corresponds with that code. "Lumbar Level L3-4" and the next 22851 code, "Lumbar Level L4-5".
Haven't had a problem since.
Hope this helps!