How to code for Lumbar Discectomy
A discectomy is surgery to remove lumbar (low back) herniated disc material that is pressing on a nerve root or the spinal cord.
According to an article written by Kim Pollock, MS, RN, MBA, CPC, a consultant and speaker with KarenZupko & Associates, Inc., which appeared in AAPC Cutting Edge, (Sept. 2013):
“Decompression is the general term to describe removal of the spinal disc, bone, or tissue causing pressure and pain. Often, this is the only procedure performed. Examples include: laminectomy to decompress spinal canal and/or nerve roots (e.g., 63001-63017, 63045-+63048), discectomy to decompress spinal canal and/or nerve roots (e.g., 63020-+63035, 63040-+63044, 63055-+63057), corpectomy (e.g., 63081- +63091), fracture repair (e.g., 22325-+22328), etc.”
