| Official Description | Common Description | Codes | Possible Additional Codes | Explanations | Work RVU | Total RVU |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Application of intervertebral biomechanical device(s) (eg, synthetic cage(s), methylmethacrylate) to vertebral defect or interspace (list separately in addition to code for primary procedure) | 22851 | This code as of 1/1/17 will no longer be used by Medicare. Some other payers may continue to use this code. Use +22853 (interbody cage), +22854 (corpectomy cage), +22859 (any cage without fusion) instead. | +22851 - No RVU | +22851 - No RVU | ||
| Arthrodesis, anterior interbody, including disc space preparation, discectomy, osteophytectomy and decompression of spinal cord and/or nerve roots; cervical below C2 | Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion (ACDF) | 22551 | +22552 for additional level | 22551 - 25.00 +22552 - 6.50 | 22551 - 49.87 +22552 - 11.68 | |
| Arthrodesis, anterior interbody, including disc space preparation, discectomy, osteophytectomy and decompression of spinal cord and/or nerve roots; cervical below C2, each additional interspace (list separately in addition to code for separate procedure) | +22552 | +22552 - 6.50 | +22552 - 11.68 | |||
| Arthrodesis, anterior interbody technique, including mmimal discectomy to prepare interspace (other than for decompression); cervical below C2 | 22554 | Use 22554 instead of +22551 if no decompression was done such as in trauma | 22554 - 17.69 | 22554 - 36.48 | ||
| Arthrodesis, anterior interbody technique, including mmimal discectomy to prepare interspace (other than for decompression); each additional interspace (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure) | +22585 | +22585 - 5.52 | +22585 - 9.61 | |||
| Arthrodesis, posterior or posterolateral technique, single level; cervical below C2 segment | Posterior Fusion | 22600 | +22614 | 22600 - posterior cervical fusion code; +22614 - additional level | 22600 - 17.40 +22614 - 6.43 | 22600 - 37.51 +22614 - 11.47 |
| Arthrodesis, posterior technique, atlas-axis (C1-C2) | C1-C2 fusion | 22595 | 22595 - 20.64 | 22595 - 43.91 | ||
| Total disc arthroplasty (artificial disc), anterior approach, including discectomy with end plate preparation (includes osteophytectomy for nerve root or spinal cord decompression and microdissection); single interspace, cervical | C5-6 ADR | 22856 | +22858 | +22858 - additional level | 22856 - 24.05 +22858 - 8.40 | 22856 - 47.57 +22858 - 14.63 |
| Biopsy, vertebral body, open; lumbar or cervical | 20251 | 20251 - 5.72 | 20251 - 12.26 | |||
| Cervical Traction | 22315 | 22315 - 10.11 | 22315 - 22.25 | |||
| Incision and drainage, open, of deep abscess (subfascial), posterior spine; cervical, thoracic, or cervicothoracic | I&D of deep below fascia infection or abscess, cervical | 22010 | I&D of Deep Infection Posterior Spine, Cervical Lumbar | 22010 - 12.75 | 22010 - 27.56 | |
| Insertion of interbody biomechanical device(s) (eg, synthetic cage, mesh) with integral anterior instrumentation for device anchoring (eg, screws, flanges), when performed, to intervertebral disc space in conjunction with interbody arthrodesis, each interspace (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure) | 22853 | 22853 is used for a device, with fusion, with or without integrated anterior fixation | 22853 - 4.25 | 22853 - 7.64 | ||
| Insertion of intervertebral biomechanical device(s) (eg, synthetic cage, mesh) with integral anterior instrumentation for device anchoring (eg, screws, flanges), when performed, to vertebral corpectomy(ies) (vertebral body resection, partial or complete) defect, in conjunction with interbody arthrodesis, each contiguous defect (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure) | 22854 | Used for a device to fill a corpectomy defect, with fusion, with or without integrated anterior fixation | 22854 - 5.5 | 22854 - 9.89 | ||
| Insertion of intervertebral biomechanical device(s) (eg, synthetic cage, mesh, methylmethacrylate) to intervertebral disc space or vertebral body defect without interbody arthrodesis, each contiguous defect (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure) | 22859 | Used for interbody device insertion without fusion | 22859 - 5.5 | 22859 - 9.89 | ||
| Laminectomy for biopsy/excision of intraspinal neoplasm; extradural, cervical | 63275 | Cervical Laminectomies and resection of epidural tumor | 63275 - 25.86 | 63275 - 52.60 | ||
| Laminectomy for excision or evacuation of intraspinal lesion other than neoplasm, extradural; cervical | Cervical laminectomies and evacuation of epidural hematoma, abscess | 63265 (this code will be removed starting in 2020) | 63265 - 23.82 | 63265 - 48.79 | ||
| Laminectomy with exploration and/or decompression of spinal cord and/or cauda equina, without facetectomy, foraminotomy or discectomy (eg, spinal stenosis), 1 or 2 vertebral segments; cervical | C2 and C3 laminectomies | 63001 | Cervical laminectomies, 1 or 2 levels or cervical laminotomies such as dome laminotomies | 63001 - 17.61 | 63001 - 36.23 | |
| Laminectomy with exploration and/or decompression of spinal cord and/or cauda equina, without facetectomy, foraminotomy or discectomy (eg, spinal stenosis), more than 2 vertebral segments; cervical | Cervical laminectomies without facetectomy, foraminotomy or discectomy, greater than 2 levels | 63015 | 63015 - 20.85 | 63015 - 43.3 | ||
| Laminectomy, facetectomy and foraminotomy (unilateral or bilateral with decompression of spinal cord, cauda equina and/or nerve root[s], [eg, spinal or lateral recess stenosis]), single vertebral segment; cervical | Cervical laminectomy or laminotomy with facetectomy, foraminotomy or discectomy | 63045 | +63048 | +63048 - each additional level | 63045 - 17.95 +63048 - 3.47 | 63045 - 37.58 +63048 - 6.19 |
| Laminectomy, facetectomy and foraminotomy (unilateral or bilateral with decompression of spinal cord, cauda equina and/or nerve root[s], [eg, spinal or lateral recess stenosis]), each additional segment, cervical, thoracic, or lumbar (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure) | '+63048 | +63048 - 3.47 | +63048 - 6.19 | |||
| Open treatment and/or reduction of vertebral fracture(s) and/or dislocation(s), posterior approach, 1 fractured vertebra or dislocated segment; cervical | Open Reduction | 22326 | +22328 | Do not use this for anterior open reduction. There is no code for anterior reduction and you cannot code for this; +22328 - each additional level | 22326 - 20.84 | 22326 - 43.34 |
| Open treatment and/or reduction of vertebral fracture(s) and/or dislocation(s), posterior approach, 1 fractured vertebra or dislocated segment; each additional fractured vertebrae or dislocated segment (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure) | +22328 | +22328 - 4.60 | +22328 - 9.20 | |||
| Osteotomy of spine, posterior or posterolateral approach, 1 vertebral segment; cervical | 22210 | 22216 | 22210 - osteotomy of spine, posterior or posterolateral approach, 1 vertebral segment, this code is a primary code but -51 modifier should be used as other higher value codes would typically precede this code; 22216 - additional levels of osteotomies | 22210 - 25.38 22216 - 6.03 | 22210 - 51.91 22216 - 10.62 | |
| Percutaneous vertebroplasty (bone biopsy included when performed), 1 vertebral body, unilateral or bilateral injection, inclusive of all imaging guidance; cervicothoracic | 22510 | +22512 | +22512 - each additional vertebral body | 22510 - 7.90 +22512 - 4.00 | 22510 - 12.63 +22512 - 6.07 | |
| Posterior non-segmental instrumentation (eg, Harrington rod technique), pedicle fixation across 1 interspace, atlantoaxial transarticular screw fixation, sublaminar wiring at C1, facet screw fixation | +22840 | 2 vertebral posterior instrumented fixation; List separately in addition to code for primary procedure; Count vertebrae and not levels. | +22840 - 12.52 | +22840 - 22.26 | ||
| Posterior segmental instrumentation (e.g., pedicle fixation, dual rods with multiple hooks and sublaminar wires); 3 to 6 vertebral segments | +22842 | 3 to 6 vertebral posterior instrumented fixation; List separately in addition to code for primary procedure; Count vertebrae and not levels. | +22842 - 12.56 | +22842 - 22.35 | ||
| Posterior segmental instrumentation (e.g., pedicle fixation, dual rods with multiple hooks and sublaminar wires); 7 to 12 vertebral segments | +22843 | 7 to 12 vertebral posterior instrumented fixation; List separately in addition to code for primary procedure; Count vertebrae and not levels. | +22843 - 13.44 | +22843 - 23.91 | ||
| Posterior segmental instrumentation (e.g., pedicle fixation, dual rods with multiple hooks and sublaminar wires); 13 or more vertebral segments | +22844 | +22844 - 16.42 | +22844 - 32.84 | |||
| Removal of Anterior Instrumentation | Removal of anterior spinal instrumentation | 22855 | 22855 - 15.86 | 22855 - 32.19 | ||
| Repair of dural/cerebrospinal fluid leak or pseudomeningocele, with laminectomy | Repair of CSF leak with laminectomy | 63709 | +69990 - Use of microscope | Do not code a separate laminectomy code; +69990 - Use of microscope | 63709 - 15.65 +69990 - 3.46 | 63709 - 32.02 +69990 - 6.43 |
| Repair of dural/cerebrospinal fluid leak, not requiring laminectomy | 63707 | 69990 | Repair of CSF Leak without Laminectomy | 63707 - 12.65 69990 - 3.46 | 63707 - 26.77 69990 - 6.43 | |
| Revision including replacement of total disc arthroplasty (artificial disc), anterior approach, single interspace, cervical | 22861 | 22861 - 33.36 | 22861 - 57.01 | |||
| Spinal puncture, therapeutic, for drainage of cerebrospinal fluid (by needle or catheter) | 62272 | Spinal Tap, Lumbar Drain Placement | 62272 - 1.35 | 62272 - 2.43 | ||
| Vertebral corpectomy (vertebral body resection), partial or complete, anterior approach with decompression of spinal cord and/or nerve root(s); cervical, single segment | Corpectomy for trauma and degenerative conditions | 63081 | +63082 | 63081 - cervical corpectomy one vertebrae; +63082 - additional vertebrae for cervical corpectomy | 63081 - 26.10 +63082 - 4.36 | 63081 - 51.19 +63082 - 7.80 |
| Second level, cervical (list separately in addition for code for primary procedure) | +22858 | 22858 - 8.4 | 22858 - 14.63 | |||
| Revision including replacement of total disc arthroplasty (artificial disc), anterior approach, each additional interspace, cervical (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure) | 0098T | 0098T - No RVU | 0098T - No RVU | |||
| Removal of total disc arthroplasty (artificial disc), anterior approach, single interspace, cervical | 22864 | 22864 - 29.40 | 22864 - 60.37 | |||
| Removal of total disc arthroplasty (artificial disc), anterior approach, each additional interspace, cervical (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure) | 0095T | 0095T - No RVU | 0095T - No RVU | |||
| Removal of posterior nonsegmental instrumentation (eg, Harrington rod) | Removal of posterior instrumentation | 22850 | Use this code if fixation/instrumentation involves only 2 vertebras (not levels) irrespective of how many vertebras are spanned. You cannot report this code if exploration of fusion or reimstrumentation was done. | 22850 - 9.82 | 22850 - 20.98 | |
| Removal of posterior segmental instrumentation | Removal of posterior instrumentation | 22852 | Use this code if fixation/instrumentation involves more than 2 vertebras (not levels) irrespective of how many vertebras are spanned. You cannot report this code if exploration of fusion or reimstrumentation was done. | 22852 - 9.37 | 22852 - 20.08 | |
| Arthrodesis, posterior technique, craniocervical (occiput-C2) | Occipital-cervical (OC) fusion | 22590 | 22590 - 21.76 | 22590 - 46.03 | ||
| Vertebral corpectomy (vertebral body resection), partial or complete, for excision of intraspinal lesion, single segment; extradural, cervical | Corpectomy for infection, osteomyelitis | 63300 | 63300 - 26.80 | 63300 - 53.35 | ||
| Exploration of spinal fusion mass | Exploration of spinal fusion mass | 22830 | 22830 - 11.22 | 22830 - 23.60 | ||
| Biopsy, bone, open; deep (eg, humeral shaft, ischium, femoral shaft) | 20245 | Excisional biopsy of bone, deep | 20245- 6.00 | 20245 - 12.00 | ||
| Anterior instrumentation; 2 to 3 vertebral segments (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure) | Cervical plate | +22845 | Do not code this code for stand-alone cage/graft. The plate must be separate from the cage. Use modifier -59 when coding with +22853. | +22845 - 11.94 | +22845 - 21.42 | |
| Insertion of interbody biomechanical device(s) (eg, synthetic cage, mesh) with integral anterior instrumentation for device anchoring (eg, screws, flanges), when performed, to intervertebral disc space in conjunction with interbody arthrodesis, each interspace (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure) | Placement of cervical graft | +22853 | +22853 - 4.25 | +22853 - 7.64 | ||
| Laminoplasty, cervical, with decompression of the spinal cord, two or more vertebral segments; | Cervical laminoplasty WITHOUT plates | 63050 | 63050 - 22.01 | 63050 - 43.79 | ||
| Laminoplasty, cervical, with decompression of the spinal cord, two or more vertebral segments; with reconstruction of the posterior bony elements (including the application of bridging bone graft and non-segmental fixation devices (e.g., wire, suture, mini-plates), when performed) | Cervical laminoplasty WITH plates | 63051 | 63051 - 25.51 | 63051 - 51.02 | ||
| Total disc arthroplasty (artificial disc), anterior approach, including discectomy with end plate preparation (includes osteophytectomy for nerve root or spinal cord decompression and microdissection), cervical, three or more levels | 0375T | 0375T - 0.00 | 0375T - 0.00 | |||
| Laminotomy (hemilaminectomy), with decompression of nerve root(s). including partial facetectomy, foraminotomy and/or excision of herniated intervertebral disc; 1 interspace, cervical | 63020 | 63020 - 16.20 | 63020 - 33.81 | |||
| Laminotomy (hemilaminectomy), with decompression of nerve root(s). including partial facetectomy, foraminotomy and/or excision of herniated intervertebral disc; each additional interspace. cervical or lumbar (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure) | +63035 | 63035 - 3.15 | 63035 - 5.61 | |||
| Laminotomy (hemilaminectomy), with decompression of nerve root(s), including partial facetectomy, foraminotomy andJor excision of herniated intervertebral disc, reexploration, single interspace; cervical | 63040 | 63040 - 20.31 | 63040 - 40.62 | |||
| Laminotomy (hemilaminectomy), with decompression of nerve root(s), including partial facetectomy, foraminotomy andJor excision of herniated intervertebral disc, reexploration, single interspace; each additional cervical interspace (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure) | 63043 | 63043 - 0 | 63043 - 0 | |||
| Laminectomy for excision of intraspinal lesion other than neoplasm, intradural; cervical | 63270 | 63270 - 29.80 | 63270 - 59.60 | |||
| Reinsertion of spinal fixation device | Revision of spinal instrumentation; screw revision | +22849 | +22849 - 19.17 | +22849 - 37.75 | ||
| Application of cranial tongs, caliper, or stereotactic frame, including removal (separate procedure) | 20660 | 20660 - 4.00 | 20660 - 8.00 | |||
| Application of halo, including removal; cranial | HALO PLACEMENT | 20661 | 20661 - 5.26 | 20661 - 10.52 | ||
| Dural graft, spinal | 63710 | Use this code if graft was used to repair dura | 63710 - 15.40 | 63710 - 30.80 | ||
| Incision and drainage of abscess (eg, carbuncle, suppurative hidradenitis, cutaneous or subcutaneous abscess, cyst, furuncle, or paronychia); simple or single | I&D simple | 10060 | 10060 - 1.22 | 10060 - 2.44 | ||
| Incision and drainage of hematoma, seroma or fluid collection | I&D of hematoma, seroma or fluid collection | 10140 | 10140 - 1.58 | 10140 - 3.16 | ||
| Incision and drainage, complex, postoperative wound infection | I&D of superficial wound | 10180 | 10180 - 2.30 | 10180 - 4.60 | ||
| Treatment of superficial wound dehiscence; simple closure | Treatment of superficial would dehiscence simple | 12020 | 12020 - 2.67 | 12020 - 5.34 | ||
| Treatment of superficial wound dehiscence; with packing | 12021 | 12021 - 1.89 | 12021 - 3.78 | |||
| Anterior plating for 4 - 7 vertebral segments | C4 to C7 plating; C4 TO T1 plating | +22846 | +22846 - 12.40 | +22846 - 22.24 | ||
| Removal of implant; deep (eg, buried wire, pin, screw, metal band, nail, rod or plate) | 20680 | 20680 - 5.96 | 20680 - 11.92 | |||
| Unlisted code | 28999 | 28999 - 0.00 | 28999 - 0.00 | |||
| Structural allograft | Structural cadaveric bone graft | 20931 | 20931 - 1.81 | 20931 - 3.62 | ||
| Removal of tongs applied by another physician | 20665 | 20665 - 1.36 | 20665 - 2.72 | |||
| Vertebral corpectomy (vertebral body resection), partial or complete, for excision of intraspinal lesion, single segment | 63304 | 63304 - 33.85 | 63304 - 67.70 | |||
| Open treatment and/or reduction of odontoid fracture(s) and or dislocation(s) (including os odontoideum), anterior approach, including placement of internal fixation; without grafting | Odontoid screw placement WITHOUT plate | 22318 | 22318 - 22.72 | 22318 - 45.44 | ||
| Open treatment and/or reduction of odontoid fracture(s) and or dislocation(s) (including os odontoideum), anterior approach, including placement of internal fixation; with grafting | Odontoid screw placement WITH plate | 22319 | 22319 - 25.33 | 22319 - 50.66 | ||
| Arthrodesis, anterior transoral or extraoral technique, clivus-C1-C2 (atlas-axis), with or without excision of odontoid process | 22548 | 22548 - 27.06 | 22548 - 54.12 | |||
| Partial excision of vertebral body, for intrinsic bony lesion, without decompression of spinal cord or nerve root(s), single vertebral segment | 22110 | 22110 - 14.00 | 22110 - 28.00 |