5 Essential Coding Tips for Spine Surgery in ASCs
Paul Cadorette, CPC, COC, CPC-P, COSC, CASCC, Director of Education, nimble solutions
Join Paul Cadorette on Sept. 19th at 1pm Central for the Other Spine Procedures webinar. Register here to reserve your spot today.
As the director of coding education at nimble solutions, I’ve had the privilege of working closely with Ambulatory Surgery Centers (ASCs) and gaining valuable insights into the revenue cycle challenges they encounter when coding for complex spine procedures.
Some of the most-common spine and pain procedures currently performed in ASCs are:
- Lumbar decompression for spinal stenosis
- Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion
- Lumbar posterior interbody fusion
- Spinal cord stimulator
- Radiofrequency ablation
In this blog post, I will delve into five essential coding tips that are specifically tailored to spine surgery in ASCs. By implementing these strategies, ASC coders can navigate the intricacies of coding, maximize revenue, and contribute to the overall success of their surgical facility.
These valuable coding insights will help you improve your coding accuracy and your ASC’s rate of collections.
1. Obtain correct documentation
There are several challenges to coding spine procedures, especially when multiple procedures were performed on one patient.
Before beginning the coding process, it is crucial to have complete and accurate documentation to ensure you can assign the correct level of specificity for each procedure, including the correct modifiers. Claims are often denied because modifiers are not appended to the second or tertiary procedure.
Be sure to obtain each patient’s operative notes, and implant logs. Carefully review the operative report to determine exactly how many nerve roots or levels were decompressed (63047 vs. 63052) and the exact number of levels that were fused. If this is not clear in the operative report, you should query the physician. You can also review the transcribed operative notes as a team to avoid leaving any potential reimbursement opportunities on the table.
Discover which orthopedic procedures are shaping the growth of the ASC industry and explore the intricate nuances that drive the success of ASCs. Get the full story on the fastest growing, highest reimbursing, and highest volume orthopedic cases in the ASC setting.
2. Code for add-ons when possible, but don’t unbundle
Don’t miss opportunities to include add-on codes for spine procedures. When coding for multiple level procedures, you’ll want to code the primary procedure first and use an add-on codes for the second and any additional levels.
However, you should review each procedure code with CCI bundling edits and pay close attention to CPT guidelines. You don’t want to incorrectly unbundle CPT codes. In general, when two services are performed at the same spinal level, you should not report the bundled procedure.
3. Employ modifiers effectively
One of the most common spine coding errors is the overuse of modifier –59.
When the same service is performed at multiple spinal levels and requires the use of the same CPT code, it may be necessary to append modifier -59 on each duplicated CPT code:
- Biomechanical devices are placed within the vertebral interspace at three different levels.
- Report 22853 for the first device and 22853-59, 22853-59 for the additional devices to indicate these devices were placed at different levels.
Be sure to check operative notes and the CPT manual carefully before using additional codes and modifiers to ensure proper usage.
4. Understand the coded anatomy
A comprehensive understanding of spine anatomy is crucial for accurate coding, particularly with ICD-10 codes. Carefully review operative notes and documentation to make sure the diagnosis matches the spinal anatomy before assigning codes. One classic example of this is reporting a lumbar diagnosis for procedures at L1-L5 while reporting a lumbosacral diagnosis for procedures at L5-S1. This will help you avoid inconsistencies that may lead to claim denials.
Coders who stay updated on the latest regulatory billing and coding guidelines, as well as changes in payers’ individual medical policies, are more likely to see claims approved on the first submission.
5. Know what type of implant and/or graft was used
Spine surgeries have seen a shift from inpatient procedures to minimally invasive outpatient surgeries, and this trend is likely to continue. Knowing what types of grafts or implants the physician used for a spine fusion surgery is extremely important because each is reported with specific CPT codes.
For example, CPT codes for spinal procedures will identify:
- Whether the spacer made from titanium, PEEK (biomechanical device code) or structural bone (graft code).
- If the surgeon used a standalone cage, as these include integrated hardware for anchoring the device.
- If the implant has a separate plate and screws (these require additional CPT codes).
- Whether the bone graft is an autograft or allograft, structural or morselized.
- If the procedure is for a first-time implant, removal, or revision.
It’s fairly common to see coding mix-ups with bone grafts. According to nimble solutions claim data, CPT 20936 (autograph spine surgery local from same incision) and CPT 20930 (allograft for spine surgery only morselized) are among the most common coding errors among all musculoskeletal-related procedures for 2023.
As technological advances and new techniques emerge, it is essential for ASC coders to stay updated on the latest developments in spine surgery to ensure accurate coding practices.
Key spine coding takeaways
Mastering coding strategies is vital for the success of every ASC. By adhering to these coding tips, we can achieve greater accuracy, minimize claim denials, and improve reimbursement.
Join me on Tuesday, September 19th at 1pm Central for the Other Spine Procedures webinar. Register here to reserve your spot and earn CEU credits by participating in this session.