Neurosurgery Coding Alert

Question: If the physician did posterior arthrodesis for achondroplasia and recurrent stenosis from T12-ilium and a fusion for S1-ilium. How do we report this?Alaska SubscriberAnswer: There is insufficient detail to provide exact coding guidance. Posterior lumbar fusion is reported with 22612 (Arthrodesis, posterior or posterolateral technique, single level; lumbar [with lateral transverse technique, when performed]) for the initial level and 22614 (Arthrodesis, posterior or posterolateral technique, single level; each additional vertebral segment [List separately in addition to code for primary procedure]) for each additional level down to and including the sacrum. A posterior fusion from T12 to the sacrum is reported with 22612 and five units of 22614. A sacroiliac arthrodesis is reported with 27280 (Arthrodesis, sacroiliac joint [including obtaining graft]) for unilateral fusion of the sacroiliac joint. Note that the code 27280 includes the work of obtaining the graft. If this is performed bilaterally, you should append the 50 [...]