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Neurosurgery Coding Alert

You Be the Coder:

Synthes Plate

Published on Sun Oct 01, 2000

Test your coding knowledge. Determine how you would code this situation before looking at the box below for the answer.



Question: I have been unable to find a code for a level-one Synthes plate, anterior instrumentation. I have been advised to use 22845 with modifier -52 (reduced services). Is this correct?

Betsy OConnor
Bryn Mawr, Pa.

Answer: CPT code 22845 describes anterior instrumentation; 2-3 vertebral segments, says Rhonda Petruziello, CPC, reimbursement specialist for neurosurgery at Cleveland Clinic Foundation in Cleveland. The neurosurgeon likely placed the instrumentation over an interspace extending from one segment to another. If so, 22845 would be the correct code without attaching modifier -52 for reduced services.
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