CMS removed six spinal procedures from the inpatient-only list in the CY 2020 Medicare Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment System and Ambulatory Surgical Center Payment System Final Rule, issued Nov. 1.
The changes, which take effect Jan. 1, will enable the procedures to be paid by Medicare in both the hospital outpatient and inpatient settings.
Here are the six spinal procedures removed from the IPO list:
1. Arthrodesis, combined posterior or posterolateral technique with posterior interbody technique including laminectomy and/or discectomy sufficient to prepare interspace, single interspace and segment; lumbar. CPT code: 22633
2. Arthrodesis, combined posterior or posterolateral technique with posterior interbody technique including laminectomy and/or discectomy sufficient to prepare interspace, single interspace and segment; lumbar; each additional interspace and segment. CPT code: 22634
3. Laminectomy for excision or evacuation of intraspinal lesion other than neoplasm, extradural; cervical. CPT code: 63265
4. Laminectomy for excision or evacuation of intraspinal lesion other than neoplasm, extradural; thoracic. CPT code: 63266
5. Laminectomy for excision or evacuation of intraspinal lesion other than neoplasm, extradural; lumbar. CPT code: 63267
6. Laminectomy for excision or evacuation of intraspinal lesion other than neoplasm, extradural; sacral. CPT code: 63268
Read the IPO changes for spinal procedures on page 669 of the OPPS/ASC final rule.