PopQuiz: Arthrodesis of Anterior Interspaces

[Ruth Sheets]

Question: A surgeon uses the operating microscope for arthrodesis of C3-C6, anterior interspaces with decompression of nerve roots. The correct CPT codes are 22551, 22552 X 2, 69990. T or F?

Answer in the next post...

 

[Ruth Sheets]

Rationale: The use of the operating microscope is included in 22551 and 22552, so it must not be coded. Therefore, the answer is False. For a list of the procedural codes which include the operating microscope see the CPT guideline above the description for 69990 in the CPT manual.
The interspaces are between C3 &C4; C4 & C5, and C5 & C6 so there are 3 interspaces involved. We need to code 22551 for the first interspace and 22552 for the next two interspaces. The correct CPT codes would simply be 22551, 22552 X 2.