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Lumbar discectomy open or percutaneous

Our surgeon wants to bill the following procedure using cpt 63030, but I feel according to the description this surgery is really not an "OPEN" discectomy but rather a percutaneous discectomy in which case I am not sure what CPT code to use because CPT codes 0275T nor 62380 really doesn’t fit either. Maybe 62287 or unlisted code? I am not sure on this one. Thanks!

Procedure: Left sided L3-L4, and L4-L5 invasive tubular discectomy.

Patient placed prone on a Wilson frame, arms were protected, all bony prominences were carefully padded, low back was prepped and draped in usual sterile fashion, a needle was placed in the L3-L4 disc space from approximately 45 degrees oblique, a discogram was done using Isovue and Isogreen and showed a clear tear in the L3-L4 disc with extensive dye spread, next, a percutaneous small incision was made over the needle, A guidewire was placed in the L3-L4 disc space and dilating tube was placed into guidewire was placed in the L3-L4 disc space and dilating tube was placed into the L3-L4 disc space. Next pituitary rongeur was used to create a far lateral discectomy at L3-L4, Multiple fragments of disc material were removed. An electrocautery was used to cauterize the annulus and the disc. A 40mg of Depo Medrol as well as Marcaine were injected into the disc and the dilating tube was removed. Next the exact same procedure was done at L4-L5 via separate incision. Wounds were copiously irrigated. Both the two wounds were closed using a nylon suture.

Medical Billing and Coding Forum

Thoracic discectomy

Hi all,

I have a neurosurgeon asking how he should code a thoracic discectomy and facetectomy. Per CPT there are only codes for costovertebral or transpendicular approach but my doc is not using either of this approaches. My suggestion was 63030 or 63055 with reduced services modifier. Can someone suggest where to find more information on this or offer guidance? I do not have a specific case at this time.

Thanks!

Medical Billing and Coding Forum

Lumbar Discectomy

Hi,
Hoping someone can help me with this. If a surgeon does a lumbar discectomy at L3-4 and then does a redo discectomy at L4-5 what CPT code would be used? I know you would use 63030 for a discectomy and 63042 for a redo discectomy but I am confused on how to code this since one level was a new one and the second level was a redo. Thanks!

Medical Billing and Coding Forum

Endoscopic discectomy cpt code

I am not sure which cpt code to use for the following…I wanted to use either 62380 or 0275T however with both of these codes a laminectomy/foraminotomy is performed, and I do not see this being performed. Only a discectomy with an annuloplasty was done.

Incisions were made paraspinally. Soft tissues were dissected down to facet joints at L3-L4, L4-5 and L5-S1 under continuous direct visualization with the use of an endoscope. an incision was made around the guidewires, the dilators were placed over the guidewires into the disc space. Working tubes were placed over the dilators into the disc space. The guidewires and the dilators were removed. The guidewires and dilators were removed. Attention was turned to the left side L3-L4 the disc space was inspected. A discectomy was performed under endoscopic continuous visualization. This was carried back to the annulus, the tube was withdrawn back into the foramen, and the exiting and tranversing nerve roots were identified and found to be free of extrinsic pressure and protected throughout the case. The tub was then replaced back into the disc space. an annuloplasty was achieved utilizing the Ellman probe, over the anterior posterior medial and lateral annulus. The tubes were withdrawn from L3-L4 disc space. The disc and epidural space was explored. Same procedure was performed at L4-L5 and L5-S1. Incisions were irrigated out well and closed using 0 Vicryl and 3-0 Monocryl for superficial dermal, the epidermis was sealed with dermabond.

Thanks

Medical Billing and Coding Forum