The June 2018 International Society for the Advancement of Spine Surgery newsletter included updates from CPT Assistant correcting an issue around two spine-related codes.
In October 2016, the organization's FAQ stated CPT Codes 63047 and 22633 couldn't be reported at the same interspace; the update in May 2018 states the two codes can be reported in the same interspace "when additional work is required to complete the decompression at a single spinal level."
ISASS has advocated for this change along with other specialty societies.
The two codes cover:
• CPT 62047: Arthrodesis, combined posterior or posterolateral technique with posterior interbody technique including laminectomy and/or discectomy sufficient to prepare interspace (other than for decompression), single interspace and segment; lumbar
• CPT 22633: Laminectomy, facetectomy and foraminotomy (unilateral or bilateral) with decompression of spinal cord, cauda equine, and/or nerve root[s], [eg spinal or lateral recess stenosis]), single vertebral segment; lumbar
ISASS noted private payers may have edits in effect bundling the affected codes.