Neurosurgery Coding Alert

Question: Our surgeon performed right laminotomy at L4/L5 and left laminotomy at L2/L3. I think this should be reported 63030, 63035, but the surgeon thinks 63030, 63030-59. Who's correct?


Kansas Subscriber


Answer: You are correct. The proper coding for a right L4/L5 laminotomy and left L2/L3 laminotomy is one unit each of 63030 (Laminotomy [hemilamin-ectomy], with decompression of nerve root[s], including partial facetectomy, foraminotomy and/or excision of herniated intervertebral disk; one interspace, lumbar [including open or endoscopically assisted approach]) and +63035 (... each additional interspace, cervical or lumbar [list separately in addition to code for primary procedure]). In addition, you may append modifier RT (Right side) to 63030 and LT (Left side) to 63035 for greater specificity.

You may only report one unit of 63030 per claim, even if you append modifier 59 (Distinct procedural service) to any subsequent units. For all interspaces the surgeon treats beyond the first, you must call on the add-on code 63035.

If the surgeon performs laminotomy on the left and right side of the same interspace, however, you may report a single unit of 63030 with modifier 50 (Bilateral procedure) appended. For instance, for right L4/L5 and left L4/L5 laminotomy, report 63030-50.