Wiki Laminectomy

[EHaracz]

I need help with laminectomy units. I have C4-C5, C5-C6 and C7-T1. Should it be coded 63045 & 63048x5 or 63045 & 63048x2. How should I count segments in this procedure.

 

[mschaller]

It depends on the nerve roots decompressed and if they were decompressed bilaterally. My doctors will typically dictate that at the end of the procedure they could follow out the paired C4, C5, C6, C7 & T1 nerve roots. In that case you would bill 63045, 63048 x 4. If there was only a single nerve root decompressed at each segment then you would bill 63045, 63048 x 2. Hope that helps!