Wiki 63047, 63048 X3 or 63048 X2

[dmaguire]

The surgeon in my office performed a Bilateral decompression laminectomy of L2-L5 along with a bilateral foraminotomies at each level of L2-L5. Do you bill for the foraminotomies by interspace where the nerve exits (63048 X3) or by the level of decompression (63048 X2)?

I appreciate hearing how others code for this situation.

Danielle

 

[shenell333@yahoo.com]

Hi

If he performed Bilateral decompression laminectomy of L2-L5 (3 Levels) with facetectomies, foraminotomies to the nerve roots you would do 63047 and 63048 x2. If he performed a fusion as well be sure to add modifier 59 to both codes.