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Bone Marrow aspiration w/Bone graft other than spine

I am seeking guidance on which would be the correct code to use for Bone Marrow aspiration w/Bone graft other than spine. There seems to be a contradiction in the guidelines/instructions regarding 20939 and 38232. Others have stated that 20999 should be used. Has anyone had any experience with these codes. Thank you

Medical Billing and Coding Forum

Help with spine surgery coding

Looking for proper Medicare coding for the following complicated surgery. Please let me know if any of the anticipated codes I put below would be incorrect, bundled, need modifiers, or if there is anything else should be added or replaced with a more appropriate code.

Patient has chronic back pain, failed back syndrome and adjacent segment disease. Patient was scheduled for TLIF with exploration and also has an existing implanted intrathecal pump. Perhaps someone has access to a program that you can put in the codes and it will you. Greatly appreciate it!

1. Exploration of prior instrumented fusion at L2-L3 (22830)
2. Removal and re-implantation of spinal hardware (22852 & 22849)
3. Revision of intrathecal catheter with laminectomy (62351)
4. Interrogation of intrathecal pump (62367)
5. T11-S1 Posterolateral arthrodesis (T11-T12 22610, T12-L1 22614, L1-L2 22633, L2-S1 22614 x 4) using autograft and allograft (20930. & 20936)
6. Left L1 Osteotomy to decompress left L1 nerve root and correct kyphosis (22214)
7. Right L1 Laminectomy and discectomy, interbody mechanical device placement to decompress right L1 nerve root and correct kyphosis (22633 & 22853)
8. T11 to S1 segmental instrumentation (22843)
9. L5-S1 laminectomy (63005 & 22612)
10. Fluoroscopic guidance, computer navigation (77011, 77003 & 61783).

Medical Billing and Coding Forum

ADR Spine Surgery help with coding

We have a spine surgeon that does the ADR in the ASC. I am knew to the spine world of coding for the ASC side. Can some one tell me if am allowed to bill the 76000,59,TC (flouro with the 22856, 22858, C1889) and should I be billing the 22845( instrumentation) or if this is bundled in the 22856. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Procedure: artificial disc replacement C4-6 versus anterior
cervical discectomy and fusion C4-6 with PEEK cage,
autograft/ allograft, anterior cervical plate
1. Pre-operative Diagnosis: C4-6 disc herniations
2. Post-operative Diagnosis: same
3. Procedure: artificial disc replacement at C4-5 , and C5-6 using LDR Mobi-C implants
4. Anesthesia: general endotracheal
5. Assistant: yes
6. Complications: none
The patient was identified by name and name plate. The patient was placed under general anesthesia by the
anesthesia team without incident. A broad spectrum IV antibiotic was given. The patient was placed into the
supine position on the radiolucent table. A roll was placed between the shoulder blades, and the shoulders were
gently taped downward in order to allow for cross table lateral visualization. The neck and left anterior iliac crest
were prepped and draped in a sterile fashion. A transverse incision was made on the left side of the neck
overlying the C 5 vertebral body. The platysma was divided vertically and then the potential space between the
sternocleidomastoid and carotid sheath contents laterally, and the trachea, esophagus and strap muscles medially
was exploited. The prevertebral and pretracheal fascia were incised. A spine marker was taken and confirmed to
be at the appropriate disc level. The longus colli muscles were elevated at the level of the disc and retractors were
placed underneath this. Distraction was placed across the disc space. A subtotal discectomy was performed back
to the posterior longitudinal ligament. The posterior longitudinal ligament was then taken down with a 1 mm
Kerrison punch. The endplates were denuded of any overlying cartilage. Trialing was performed and the
appropriate sized LDR Mobi-C implant was chosen and loaded onto the jig and inserted into the C5-6 disc space.
The implant was noted be in good position on AP and lateral fluoroscopic views. Compression was placed across
the disc space in order to seat the implant. The jig was then removed. This procedure was repeated at the C4-5
disc. Once the implant was placed at the C 4-5 disc then the undersurface of the esophagus was inspected and
noted to be free of any trauma. A drain was laid over the vertebral bodies and brought out through a separate
fascial incision. All retractors were removed. There was noted to be no significant bleeding within the wound.
The platysma was repaired with a running Vicryl suture. The skin edges were approximated with Monocryl
suture. Sterile dressings were applied.

Thank You,
JTH
[email protected]

Medical Billing and Coding Forum

spine surgery for assistant surgeon

Hello I have a question we have been billing spine surgeries with 22804-80 22844-80 22214-80 22216-80 X 8 units are we allowed to get reimbursed for all of 8 units for assistant at surgery for cpt 22216? we are getting denials stating that we are only allow 1 unit since is under assistant surgeon. please let me know

Medical Billing and Coding Forum

Spine help please

WE ARE UNSURE HOW TO CODE THIS SURGERY AND WOULD APPRECIATE ANY HELP YOU CAN OFFER PLEASE.
FOR THE OPEN SI FUSION, 27280?
WHAT ABOUT THE REMOVAL OF PREVIOUS HARDWARE?
SHOULD WE USE 22830 FOR EXPLORATION?

I HAVE ONE PERSON SAYING TO USE, "27280, 22830, AND 22853."

AND ANOTHER SAYING, "27280, AND 22899"

PLEASE HELP. PLEASE EXPLAIN YOUR ANSWER SO THAT I AM ABLE TO UNDERSTAND.

THANK YOU!!

PREOPERATIVE DIAGNOSES:
1. Right sacroiliac joint nonunion.
2. Ongoing chronic debilitating right sacroiliac joint pain with
significant dysfunction.
*
POSTOPERATIVE DIAGNOSES:
1. Right sacroiliac joint nonunion.
2. Ongoing chronic debilitating right sacroiliac joint pain with
significant dysfunction.
*
PROCEDURE: Complex removal of previously placed right sacroiliac joint
implants that did result in a nonunion. The 3 implants were ultimately
removed, and I did proceed with an open revision fusion procedure of the
right sacroiliac joint, with placement of revision implants across the
sacroiliac joint (using allograft bone, ViviGen).
*
SURGEON:
*
ASSISTANT:
*
ANESTHESIA: General endotracheal anesthesia.
*
COMPLICATIONS: None.
*
DISPOSITION: Stable.
*
ESTIMATED BLOOD LOSS: 50 mL.
*
INDICATIONS FOR SURGERY: Briefly, patient is a pleasant 49-year-old
female, who did initially present to me on September 13, 2016, with
substantial pain at the right side of her low back. Of note, she was
previously diagnosed with right sacroiliac joint dysfunction and did
have a right sacroiliac joint fusion procedure by another surgeon on May
1, 2015. Per the patient, she feels that she has been having ongoing
and rather severe dysfunction and pain in her right sacroiliac joint
ever since that procedure. She states the simple activities of daily
living such as even using the restroom are extremely difficult for her
on a daily basis. A CAT scan did reveal a nonunion with malpositioned
implants. She did wish to have the implants removed, and I did discuss
with her proceeding with a revision fusion procedure. She did wish to
proceed.
*
OPERATIVE DETAILS: On August 9, 2018, the patient was brought to
surgery and general endotracheal anesthesia was administered. The
patient was placed prone on the operating room table with gel rolls
placed under the patient’s chest and hips. The right buttock was
prepped and draped in the usual sterile fashion and a time-out procedure
was performed. I did expose down to the lateral ilium. Of note,
visualization of the implants were extremely difficult, given the
extensive scar tissue and the patient’s body habitus. I was, however,
able to optimally visualize the lateral aspect of the implants. Using
the iFuse sacroiliac joint removal system, I did thread guide over the
lateral aspect of the implants. The lower implant was removed
uneventfully. The middle implant did require a moderate degree of force
to ultimately remove; however, I was able to remove it uneventfully.
The upper implant I was not able to remove using a slap hammer. I did
have to use a chisel, which was slid over the lateral aspects of each
side of the triangular implant down to just into the sacrum. After
doing so, I then threaded the implant removal, slap hammer into the
lateral aspect of the implant, and at this point, I was able to
successfully remove the implant. In the lower hole where the lowest
implant was removed, I did place a significant amount of Gelfoam. At
the upper implant, I did drill. I did place a guidewire into the hole
that remained. I did drill over the hole and I did place a revision
implant, specifically, a 10 x 60 mm SI-LOK implant (globus). Allograft
in the form of ViviGen was packed into the implant. I was very pleased
with the resting position of the implant. Where the middle implant was
removed, I then drilled over a guidewire, and at this particular implant
level, I did elect to place a 12 x 45 mm implant, again, packed with
ViviGen. I did liberally use lateral as well as outlet fluoroscopy in
order to ensure that the implants were in their appropriate resting
positions. I was very pleased with the final press-fit of each of the
final screws. At this point, the wound was copiously irrigated. There
were minor areas of bleeding, which was controlled using bipolar
electrocautery. The wound was then closed in layers using #1 Vicryl,
followed by 0 Vicryl, followed by 2-0 Vicryl, followed by 4-0 Monocryl.
Benzoin and Steri-Strips were applied, followed by sterile dressing.
All instrument counts were correct at the termination of the procedure.
*
Of note, PA-C, was my assistant throughout surgery, and
did aid in retraction, suctioning, and closure from start to finish.

Medical Billing and Coding Forum

Question on posterior cervical spine fusion

I am having trouble finding some info on cpt codes to use for a posterior cervical spine fusion. The fusion was performed on C1-C2-C3. Physician requested the coding to be 22595,22614,22840,61783,20936. Unfortunately, 22614 is not the add on code for 22595 Arthrodesis, posterior technique, atlas-axis (C1-C2) , and while researching, I found there is no add on code for 22595. The only article I have found regarding this subject stated that you could use 22600 Arthrodesis, posterior or posterolateral technique, single level; cervical below C2 segment when you bill 22590 Arthrodesis, posterior technique, craniocervical (occiput-C2). Is it appropriate to use the 22600 code with 22595? Encoder is allowing it with a 51 modifier, but I am not sure if it is appropriate to bill.

Medical Billing and Coding Forum