63081, 22551, 22552, 22851 and 22845

I am new to the field and really confused about these codes.

Doctor performed ACDF C5 - C7
Partial corpectomy C5, C6 and C7 with plate C5-C7
Demineralized bone matrix 20930

I have heard 22551 is bundled in 63081 if performed on the same level, and 22845 and 22551 cannot be billed together either?

Please someone help with to understand a little more?

Thanks,

re: 63081, 22551, 22552, 22851 and 22845

I highly recommend your company sending you to coding training with AANS. I went and their book is like a bible you will always reference it.

Dicectomies above and below the corpectomy are included in the corpectomy.
A single level corpectomy implies a two level fusion. EX:

63081 C5
22554 C4-C5
22585 C5-C6

You can bill it this way:
63081 C5
22551 C6-C7
22554 C4-C5
22585 C5-C6
22845 C5-C7
20930

re: 63081, 22551, 22552, 22851 and 22845

Thank you for your help!

Since the corpectomies were done at 3 levels C5, C6 and C7. Should I code 63081 and 63082 x 2?
I am tempted to use 20931 for the human allograft instead of 20930. What is the difference between these two codes?

What is the training called at AANS. Do you know how much it costs. I will ask my employer hope they will send me.

Thanks again!

re: 63081, 22551, 22552, 22851 and 22845

Yes.. I was under the impression the corpectomy was at only C5. So yes then you would code 63081, 63082x2 if he removed more than 50% of the vertebral body. Autograft vs allograft. Auto meaning self.. the tissue is taking from the patient and allo means human to human. The tissue is taken from another human.
You would also bill 22554 and 22585x2. If you put the code 63081 in the search area on this website you will find a lot of good information. Kim Pollock who also teaches the coding class for AANS has a lot of good answers on this site. I wouldn't bill 22551 because it includes discectomy and that is already included in the corpectomy.

The cost for the course is not cheap but you are getting a lot of good information. They are having a coding101 class for $399 in Chicago on June 18th. or go to the full course in August in Chicago. I totally recommend going! If you work for a neurosurgeon he/she would know the benefits.
Good luck to you!

http://www.aans.org/Education