CoderinJax
Guru
Hi! Need some help. Doc performed posterolateral arthrodesis (22633) and the below codes, but I don't agree that the records show enough to support.
I'm looking at a record and it states:
"hemilaminectomy was performed at L5 and a complete facetectomy at L5-S1 on the left side. The transversing S1 and exiting L5 nerve roots were identified. On the contralateral side, the undersurface of the lamina was undercut, elevate the ligamentum flavum off of the underlying dura decompressing the lateral recesses of the right side".
I don't feel this warrants billing 63047-59 or 63048-59, which the Physician did. Don't I need to see more in order to see either of these CPT codes? Appears to be more work than CPT 63030 since doing more than just "partial" facetectomy, but not enough to warrant the 63047 is my thought...
Thanks so much!
I'm looking at a record and it states:
"hemilaminectomy was performed at L5 and a complete facetectomy at L5-S1 on the left side. The transversing S1 and exiting L5 nerve roots were identified. On the contralateral side, the undersurface of the lamina was undercut, elevate the ligamentum flavum off of the underlying dura decompressing the lateral recesses of the right side".
I don't feel this warrants billing 63047-59 or 63048-59, which the Physician did. Don't I need to see more in order to see either of these CPT codes? Appears to be more work than CPT 63030 since doing more than just "partial" facetectomy, but not enough to warrant the 63047 is my thought...
Thanks so much!