Neurosurgery Coding Alert

Question: Our neurosurgeon completed right L3-4 translumbar interbody fusion with cage and pedicle screw fixation. He used the Zimmer Optima Pedicle Screw System and bilateral posterolateral fusion with BMP. How should I code this surgery? Oklahoma Subscriber Answer: This is a complicated case, so you'll report several codes: • 22630 (Arthrodesis, posterior interbody technique, including laminectomy and/or discectomy to prepare interspace [other than for decompression], single interspace; lumbar) for the interbody fusion • 22612-51 (Arthrodesis, posterior or posterolateral technique, single level; lumbar [with or without lateral transverse technique])-(Multiple procedures) for the posterior fusion • +22851 (Application of intervertebral biomechanical devices[s] [e.g., synthetic cage(s), threaded bone dowel(s), methylmethacrylate] to vertebral defect or interspace [List separately in addition to code for primary procedure]) for the PEEK cage • +20930 (Allograft for spine surgery only; morselized [List separately in addition to code for primary procedure]) for the bone morphogenic protein • +22840 (Posterior [...]