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The following article is written by Stephanie Ellis, RN, CPC, president of Ellis Medical Consulting.
Vertebroplasty procedures are performed for spinal neoplasms, osteoporosis and spinal fractures. The percutaneous vertebroplasty is a minimally invasive procedure performed using radiologic guidance, which identifies a fractured vertebral body and uses an injection of an acrylic polymer cement (PMMA or methyl methacrylate) to stabilize the fractured vertebral body and reinforce the spine. The fractured reduction/repair, the vertebral biopsy and venography are included in the procedure, and are not separately billable.
Use CPT code 22520: Percutaneous vertebroplasty, one vertebral body, unilateral or bilateral injection; thoracic.
Use code 22521: Percutaneous vertebroplasty, one vertebral body, unilateral or bilateral injection; lumbar.
Use add-on code +22522: Thoracic or lumbar, each additional level.
Bill the radiological supervision and interpretation code 72292-TC, which includes fluoroscopy. If the radiological supervision is performed under CT-guidance, also use CPT code 72292-TC.
There is no regular CPT code for a cervical percutaneous vertebroplasty procedure. HCPCS code S2360 for an initial level cervical percutaneous vertebroplasty of one vertebral body, unilateral or bilateral injection, and add-on code S2361 for each additional cervical vertebral body, or use unlisted code 22899.
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The information provided should be utilized for educational purposes only. Please consult with your billing and coding expert. Facilities are ultimately responsible for verifying the reporting policies of individual commercial and MAC/FI carriers prior to claim submissions.
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Surgery Center Coding Guidance: Posterior Laminectomy or Laminotomy
Surgery Center Coding Guidance: Total Disc Arthroplasty Procedures
Surgery Center Coding Guidance: X-Stop Procedure