Removal of an interspinous distraction device

A patient with spinal stenosis underwent placement of an interspinous process distractor several months prior for stenosis at L3-4 and L4-5 which provided only short term relief. The patient now presents for decompression via laminectomy for severe stenosis at L4-5 with removal of the previously placed interspinous process distractor at that level. A midline incision was made and a retractor was placed. The spinal process at L4-5 was trimmed and the device was removed. A partial laminectomy was then performed for decompression. What is the CPT code for the removal of the interspinous distraction device? The CPT code range 22867 - 22870 addresses insertion, but there doesn’t appear to be a code to capture removal of the device. ...

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Note:  The following article synopsis was NOT provided by the AHA. It was created by Find-A-Code/innoviHealth.

Article Overview

This premium article addresses a spinal surgery coding question about a procedure in which an interspinous process distractor placed earlier is removed during operative decompression. It is intended for coders, billers, and other revenue cycle staff who need help understanding how the scenario is discussed in CPT-based coding guidance and what broader code sets are referenced. The article focuses on the procedure context, the related insertion code range, and the absence of a separate removal code, without serving as a substitute for the full coding guidance.

Why This Topic Matters

Spine procedure coding can be affected by whether device work is separately reportable or bundled into a larger operation. This article helps readers recognize when an interspinous distraction device removal question arises in the context of decompression and related CPT guidance.

What You Will Learn

  • How the article frames a removal question in the context of spine surgery coding.
  • Which CPT code set area is referenced as related background for the device procedure.
  • How the article organizes the procedure context around prior placement and later decompression.
  • What broad coding issue the article is focused on in relation to device removal.

Who Should Read This

  • Medical coders
  • Coding auditors
  • Revenue cycle staff
  • Orthopedic spine coding staff
  • Neurosurgery coding staff

Code Ranges Discussed


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