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Neurosurgery Coding Alert

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63047 and 63048 Co-Surgery Services

Published on Wed Sep 08, 2010

Question: Our neurosurgeon performed a L2-3, L3-4 revision laminectomy (63047 and 63048) and placed the iliac screws (22848). The orthopaedic surgeon performed L3 pedicle subtraction osteotomy (22207), L1 and L4 smith peterson osteotomy (22214, 22216), L3-4 posterior interbody fusion (22630), removal of L3,4,5,S1 and iliac screw,(22852), replaced L4,L5,S1 screws, new screws placed at T12,L1,L2(22843).Both physicians assisted each other with their parts of the procedures. Procedure codes 63047 and 63048 performed by our physician are bundled with the 22207, 22214, 22216, 22630 performed by the orthropaedic surgeon. Should I report codes 63047 and 63048 as the primary procedure with 22207-82, 22214-82, 22216-82, 22630-82 or should I bill the assist codes only?California SubscriberAnswer: Because both the osteotomy codes and the posterior interbody fusion code include the physician work of decompression at the same level(s), codes 63047 (Laminectomy, facetectomy and foraminotomy [unilateral or bilateral with decompression of spinal cord, cauda equina and/or nerve [...]
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