The International Society for the Advancement of Spine Surgery submitted comments to Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield about coding edits, one of which is scheduled for implementation this year.
The letter, sent Jan. 31, comments on coding edit bundles for laminectomy codes with fusion codes; additional level posterior/posterolateral fusion codes; and vertebral corpectomy codes with lumbar fusion codes.
When the edits are implemented, surgeons will only receive reimbursement for the primary procedure; Anthem BCBS won't reimburse for the bundled procedure any longer. ISASS opposes the change.