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Topic: Watch out for multiple kyphoplasty codes

Ambulatory Surgery Reimbursement Update, May 6, 2008

Kyphoplasty is a minimally invasive spinal surgery to treat vertebral compression fractures. The codes are driven by the number of vertebral bodies involved in the procedure and the level of the spine that is being operated on, thoracic or lumbar, said Susan Garrison, CPC, CHC, CCS-P, CPC-H, CPAR, executive vice president at Magnus Confidential, Inc., in Dawsonville, GA.

“If you are doing multiple vertebral body segments, you are going to have multiple codes. It is not unusual to have multiple levels during one procedure, so look for those kinds of things,” Garrison added.

The related CPT codes are:

• 22523: Percutaneous kyphoplasty; thoracic.“Percutaneous vertebral augmentation, including cavity creation (fracture reduction and bone biopsy included when performed) using mechanical device, one vertebral body, unilateral or bilateral cannulation (e.g., kyphoplasty); thoracic”
• 22524: Percutaneous kyphoplasty; lumbar
• 22525: Percutaneous kyphoplasty; add-on

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