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Wiki Hemilaminotomy billing question.....

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tmarugg

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The scenario is this.....
Dr. dictates procedure done is "hemilaminotomy, T9-T11, for left-sided T9-10 & T10-11 microdiscectomy"

So my coding brain goes to the index of my CPT code book, looks up "hemilaminectomy" & the codes are 63020-63044. So my coding brain, immediately goes to the codes in the tabular section. 63020 - for cervical interspace, 63030 - for lumbar interspace, 63040 - re-exploration of cervical interspace, 63042- for lumbar interspace. Hmmmm no thoracic codes there!

We billed for 63046 & 63048.

My coding brain is stumped!

So since my dr is out of town, I talk to our mid-level (who assists in the procedures with him). This is how she explained it to...since in the description of 63046 it states "unilateral or bilateral" would be the correct code for a hemi done at the thoracic level since it is removal of only one lamina.

Is this correct?

Thanks in advance for any input!

Tammy
 
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