CMS is proposing to add eight spine codes to the list of ASC covered procedures in 2017, according to the International Society for the Advancement of Spine Surgery.
The eight procedures are:
1. Autograft for spine surgery (includes harvesting the graft); local (eg, ribs, spinous process or laminar fragments) obtained from the same incision (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure): 20936
2. Autograft for spine surgery only (includes harvesting the graft); morselized (through separate skin or fascial incision) (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure): 20937
3. Autograft for spine surgery only (includes harvesting the graft); structural biocortical or tricortical (through separate skin fascial incision): 20938
4. Arthrodesis, anterior interbody, including disc space preparation, discectomy, osteophytectomy and decompression of spinal cord and/or nerve roots; cervical C2, each additional interspace (List separately in addition to code for separate procedure): 22552
5. Posterior non-segmental instrumentation (eg, Harrington rod technique, pedicle screw fixation across one interspace, atlantoaxial transarticular screw fixation, sublaminar wiring at C1, facet screw fixation): 22840
6. Posterior non-segmental instrumentation (eg. Harrington rod technique, pedicle fixation across one interspace, atlantoaxial transarticular screw fixation, subliminar wiring at C1, facet screw fixation): 22842
7. Anterior instrumentation; two to three vertebral segments: 22845
8. Application of intervertebral biomechanical device(s) (eg, synthetic cage(s), methlmethacrylate) to vertebral defect or interspace (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure): 22851
CMS also noted it will continue to exclude total disc arthroplasty from the ASC-payable list because "the procedure would generally be expected to require at least an overnight stay."