Wiki SPINE help!

[Laxwido]

Hello Group. I need to pose an coding question. I have the following spine case:

L3-L5 exploration of fusion, findings intact solid fusion
L2 decompressive laminectomy,facectomy for stenosis
posterior nonsegmental pedicular instrumentation at L2 with polyaxial screws.
L2-L3 posterolateral arthrodesis

My question is on the instrumentation. He removes the rod from the previous fusion L3-L5. He adds new screws at L2, then connects L2-L5 with a *NEW* rod. Is my code 22840 or 22842? The new rod connects to screws going from L2-L5. Thoughts?

Thanks!

 

[Sandy H]

22840 versus 22842

I would say 22842 because you are are still covering L2, L3,L4, & L5 segments.