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Neurosurgery Coding Alert

READER QUESTIONS :

Iron Out Co-Surgery Details

Published on Fri May 22, 2009

Question: A thoracic surgeon and neurosurgeon work together during arthrodesis for interspaces T6-T7, T7-T8, and T8-T9 using an anterior approach for interbody technique. Additionally, the neurosurgeon packs the interspaces with morselized allograft and places anterior instrumentation with attachment points at T6, T7, T8, and T9. How should I code this procedure? South Dakota Subscriber Answer: In this case, both the thoracic surgeon and neurosurgeon will report 22556 (Arthrodesis, anterior  interbody technique, including minimal discectomy to prepare interspace [other than for decompression], thoracic) and append modifier 62 (Two surgeons) for the initial interspace (T6-T7) and +22585-62 x 2 (... each additional interspace [List separately in addition to code for primary procedure]) for the additional interspaces (T7- T8 and T8-T9). Only the neurosurgeon will report the bone graft (+20930, Allograft for spine surgery only; morselized [List separately in addition to code for primary procedure]) and instrumentation placement (+22846, Anterior nstrumentation; 4 to [...]
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