2018/2019 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code M43.26. Fusion of spine, lumbar region. M43.26 is a billable/specific ICD-10-CM code that can be used to indicate a diagnosis for reimbursement purposes.
M43.26 is a billable/specific ICD-10-CM code that can be used to indicate a diagnosis for reimbursement purposes. The 2020 edition of ICD-10-CM M43.26 became effective on October 1, 2019. This is the American ICD-10-CM version of M43.26 - other international versions of ICD-10 M43.26 may differ.
22612Posterior Arthrodesis, lumbar 1 st level 22614 each additional level 22614 each additional level 22842 post. segmental instrumentation 3-6 vertebral segments 20930- morselized allograft spine surgery only 20936 autograft, spine only, local same incision Do not code the laminectomy because it was performed on the same interspace as the fusion
Operation Performed: L3-S1: Lumbar laminectomy, decompression of cauda equina, posterior spinal fusion, segmental instrumentation, and morselized local bone grafting supplemented with bone from bone bank. 0SG1071Fusion 2-4 lumbar joint with autologous tissue substitute, posterior approach posterior column, open
M54. 41 Lumbago with sciatica, right side - ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Codes.
03.
5 – Low Back Pain. ICD-Code M54. 5 is a billable ICD-10 code used for healthcare diagnosis reimbursement of chronic low back pain.
S39. 012A Strain of muscle, fascia and tendon of lower back, init - ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Codes.
Unspecified fracture of second lumbar vertebra, initial encounter for open fracture. S32. 029B is a billable/specific ICD-10-CM code that can be used to indicate a diagnosis for reimbursement purposes.
A spinal compression fracture occurs when the vertebral body in the front of your spine gets compressed due to axial loading. Underlying medical conditions, such as osteoporosis and spinal tumors are common causes for these fractures.
ICD-9 Code Transition: 723.1 Code M54. 2 is the diagnosis code used for Cervicalgia (Neck Pain). It is a common problem, with two-thirds of the population having neck pain at some point in their lives.
The current code, M54. 5 (Low back pain), will be expanded into three more specific codes: M54. 50 (Low back pain, unspecified)
9: Dorsalgia, unspecified.
A lumbar strain is an injury to the lower back. This results in damaged tendons and muscles that can spasm and feel sore. The lumbar vertebra make up the section of the spine in your lower back.
M54. 16 - Radiculopathy, lumbar region. ICD-10-CM.
ICD-10-CM Code for Myalgia M79. 1.
ICD-Code M54. 3 is a non-billable ICD-10 code used for healthcare diagnosis reimbursement of Sciatica.
M54. 9 is a billable/specific ICD-10-CM code that can be used to indicate a diagnosis for reimbursement purposes. The 2022 edition of ICD-10-CM M54.
M25. 512 Pain in left shoulder - ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Codes.
S29.012AICD-10 Code for Strain of muscle and tendon of back wall of thorax, initial encounter- S29. 012A- Codify by AAPC.
The codes for the anterior spinal fusion are 0SG00AJ (L4-L5) and 0SG30AJ (L5-S1) . Two codes are also assigned for the posterior spinal fusion, 0SG0071 (L4-L5) and 0SG3071 (L5-S1) . Codes 0SB20ZZ and 0SB40ZZ are also assigned for the discectomy performed at two different levels of the spine. Lastly, code 0QB20ZZ is assigned for the harvesting of the right iliac crest bone graft.
The code for this procedure is 0QB20ZZ, with the body part character (fourth character) being 2 for right pelvic bone. The iliac crest does not have its own distinct body part value in ICD-10-PCS, with the ICD-10-PCS Body Part Key indicating that the pelvic bone is the closest proximal branch.
If an interbody fusion device is used (alone or containing other material like bone graft), the procedure is coded with the device value Interbody Fusion Device (A)
Nonautologous Tissue Substitute (K)—bone is harvested by a tissue bank from a cadaver. Synthetic Substitute (J)—examples include demineralized bone matrix, synthetic bone graft extenders, bone morphogenetic proteins (BMP) Combinations of devices and materials are often used on a vertebral joint during a spinal fusion.
Body Part: The body part character reflects the level of the vertebrae (cervical, thoracic, lumbar and/or sacral) and the number of vertebral joints fused. The intervertebral joint is the space that is located between any two adjacent vertebrae. One factor in determining the number of fusion codes to assign is how many levels were fused. For example, a L2-L5 anterior fusion requires the assignment of only one fusion code with the body part being 1. However, a L2-S1 anterior fusion requires two fusion codes with one code being assigned the body part of 1 and the other code being assigned the body part of 3 (see Figure 2 below).
If the operative report documents that a discectomy is performed , the correct root operation is Excision. However, if the operative report documents a “total discectomy,” the root operation is Resection.
The implementation of ICD-10-PCS has enhanced the skills of coding professionals as it contains many unique features that provide an opportunity to accurately reflect the complexity of the procedures being performed. The assignment of ICD-9-CM procedure codes for spinal fusions often challenged coding professionals, and this has not changed with the transition to ICD-10-PCS. As with the coding of other complex surgical procedures, coding professionals struggle with identifying which portion of the spinal fusion procedure to code or not to code.
To report bone graft procedures, see 20930-20938. (Report bone graft procedures, see 20930-20938. (Report in addition to code[s] for definitive procedure[s].) Do not append modifier 62 to bone graft codes 20900-20938.
A vertebral segment describes the basic constituent part into which the spine may be divided. It represents a single complete vertebral bone with its associated articular processes and laminae.
Decompression is the general term to describe removal of the spinal disk, bone, or tissue causing pressure and pain. Often, this is the only procedure performed. Examples include: laminectomy to decompress spinal canal and/or nerve roots (e.g., 63001-63017, 63045-+63048), discectomy to decompress spinal canal and/or nerve roots (e.g., 63020-+63035, 63040-+63044, 63055-+63057), corpectomy (e.g., 63081-+63091), fracture repair (e.g., 22325-+22328), etc.#N#CPT® designates the decompression codes as being per “vertebral segment” or per “interspace.” Decompression occurs at the interspace for discectomy codes (e.g., right L4-L5 interspace). Discectomy is a single, standalone code, such as 63030 Laminotomy (hemilaminectomy), with decompression of nerve root (s), including partial facetectomy, foraminotomy and/or excision of herniated intervertebral disc; 1 interspace, lumbar.#N#But decompression of the spinal canal can be coded per vertebral segment (63001-63017), or per level of foraminotomy (e.g., decompression of the L4 exiting nerve root via partial laminectomy at L4 and partial laminectomy at L5, with foraminotomy at L4-L5, is reported using one code: 63047 Laminectomy, facetectomy and foraminotomy (unilateral or bilateral with decompression of spinal cord, cauda equina and/or nerve root [s], [eg, spinal or lateral recess stenosis]), single vertebral segment; lumbar).#N#Discern whether the approach was posterior or anterior to choose the correct code. Table A illustrates commonly used, standalone decompression codes for spine surgery.#N#Table A: Standalone decompression codes for spine surgery
CMS has a list they will allow with 69990 and the rest they bundle into all other procedures not on the list.
Warning: As with bone graft codes, instrumentation codes are add-on codes, and are never reported with modifier 62. Some payers (including Medicare) will incorrectly reimburse the instrumentation and some bone graft codes when billed with modifier 62; however, CPT® guidelines prohibit reporting the instrumentation and bone graft codes with modifier 62.
Because a fusion was performed, you must include a bone graft code. As with other graft codes in CPT®, the spinal bone graft codes are reported for harvesting the bone graft. The work of placing the bone graft is included in the arthrodesis/fusion codes. All spinal bone graft codes are add-on codes.
“It seems like coding spine cases is as complicated as doing the surgery,” said a spine surgeon at his first coding training session with me.#N#Spine procedure coding can make even the most confident coder squirm. But spine procedure coding doesn’t have to be difficult. In fact, it’s quite formulaic. Follow these five principles and spine procedure coding will go from scary to simple.
Kim Pollock, RN, MBA, CPC, CMDP, is a senior consultant and speaker with Karen Zupko & Associates, Inc., a physician practice management consulting and training firm based in Chicago, Ill. She is on the faculty for the American Association of Neurological Surgeons coding and reimbursement courses. Pollock has recently co-authored the book The Essential Guide to Coding in Otolaryngology.
The interbody fusion device immobilizes the intervertebral joint to stabilize the segment for fusion. It restores disc space height and requires removal of all or part of the disc so that the device can be inserted into the disc space. More than one device can be used at the same time.
If bone graft is the only device used, the procedure is coded with device value Nonautologous Tissue Substitute or Autologous Tissue Substitute depending on bone source
trigger point is a painful area of soft tissue surrounding muscle. Treatment may include multiple injections into the same area. 20552-injection into 1-2 muscles20553–injection into 3 or more muscles
Spinal fusion is classified by the anatomic portion (column) fused and the technique (approach) used to perform the fusion. The fusion can include a discectomy, bone grafting, and spinal instrumentation.
tendon is the fibrous collagen cord that attaches the muscle to bones or other structures. A synovial sheath protects and lubricates the tendon. Inflammation within the sheath causes pain or a decrease in joint mobility.
When a mixture of autologous and nonautologous bone graft with or without biological or synthetic extenders or binders is used to render a joint immobile, code the procedure with the device value
This ESI approach that may be needed if patient has scar tissue from old injuries or prior surgery that doesn’t allow effective spread of the steroid into the epidural area with the interlaminar method.
The “0” is used to indicate myelopathy and the “1” is for radiculopathy. Myelopathy means that there is some sort of neurologic deficit to the spinal cord, whereas radiculopathy means that there is a deficit to nerve roots. ...
Only use the fourth character “9” for unspecified disc disorders if the documentation does not indicate anything more than the presence of a disc problem. But beware, payors are expected to ask for clarification if unspecified or “NOS” codes are used.
Though it is not specifically mentioned, “thoracolumbar” likely only includes T12-L1, and “lumbosacral” probably only refers to the L5-S1 interspace. There is a strange rule for cervical disc disorders indicating that you should code to the most superior level of the disorder.
It is already included in the code. Likewise, don’t code sciatica (M54.3-) if you code for lumbar disc with radiculopathy. It would be redundant. On a side note, lumbar radiculopathy (M54.16) might be used if pain is not yet known to be due a disc, but it radiates from the lumbar spine.
9 = unspecified disc disorder. The fifth character provides detail about the anatomical location within the spinal region. A basic knowledge of spinal anatomy should make fifth-character selection easy, but only if it is documented properly. This includes transitionary regions.
These spinal disc codes appear to be a bit complex, but with some study and evaluation, the logic used to create them becomes clear. The provider can use the codes to guide proper documentation and the coder then can select the right codes with confidence.