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Neurosurgery Coding Alert

Reader Question:

Billing 63047 and 22630

Published on Fri Jun 01, 2001

Question: Is it appropriate to bill 63047 with 22630?

California Subscriber

Answer: It is considered correct coding to bill 22630 (arthrodesis, posterior interbody technique, including laminectomy and/or diskectomy to prepare interspace [other than for decompression], single interspace, lumbar) and 63047 (laminectomy, facetectomy and foraminotomy [unilateral or bilateral with decompression of spinal cord, cauda equina and/or nerve root[s], e.g., spinal or lateral recess stenosis, single vertebral segment; lumbar) together provided that a significant nerve decompression (such as foraminotomy or facetectomy) has been documented. Many carriers (such as California Medicare) have said that they cannot be billed together even in case of de-compression. But, if this occurs, appeal the claim for payment.
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