Neurosurgery Coding Alert
Reader Question ~ Leave Modifiers Off Your Multiple Arthrodesis Claims
Question: The op notes for this claim state that the neurosurgeon performed arthrodesis at four levels: C2, C3, C4 and C5. How should I report this encounter? Will I need modifier 59? Answer: You won't need help from 59 (Distinct procedural service) or any other modifier on this claim. When coding for this scenario, Explanation: Since you are using an add-on code (22585) to report the arthrodesis procedures, you do not need any modifiers on the claim. But remember that you can never have add-on codes stand alone on a claim. If you report 22585, you must also report a primary code (in this case, 22554). (Remember: When your surgeon performs arthrodesis at four spinal levels, it means that three interspaces were fused.)
Kentucky Subscriber
- report 22554 (Arthrodesis, anterior interbody technique, including minimal diskectomy to prepare interspace [other than for decompression]; cervical below C2) for the C2-C3 arthrodesis.
- report +22585 (... each additional interspace [list separately in addition to code for primary procedure]) x 2 for the arthrodesis at C3-C4 and C4-C5.
Neurosurgery Coding Alert
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Question: What is an -Oberlin procedure- and how should I code for it?
Wisconsin Subscriber
Answer: [...]
