AMA CPT® Assistant - 2020 Issue 6 (June)
Frequently Asked Questions (June 2020)
June 2020 page 14 Frequently Asked Questions Surgery: Musculoskeletal System Question: How is a percutaneous oblique lateral lumbar interbody fusion (OLLIF) spinal procedure reported? This technique uses a small port in which the surgical instruments are passed percutaneously under fluoroscopic guidance to remove disc material to prepare the interspace. The port is removed, and a lumbar interbody fusion cage is passed percutaneously over a guidewire into position under fluoroscopic guidance. Answer: There is no specific CPT code that accurately describes the OLLIF procedure. Therefore, unlisted code 22899, Unlisted procedure, spine, should be reported. When reporting an unlisted code to...
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Article Overview
This June 2020 FAQ article from CPT Assistant reviews coding guidance across several surgical specialties, including musculoskeletal, respiratory, cardiovascular, digestive, eye and ocular adnexa, and nervous system topics. It is useful for coders and billers who need a broad understanding of how the publication addresses procedure reporting, unlisted services, and modifier use in common question-and-answer format. The article also reflects how CPT guidance discusses documentation support and reporting decisions in a general way without serving as a substitute for the full premium content.
Why This Topic Matters
It helps coding professionals identify whether the article addresses a specific specialty or reporting issue they are researching, especially when evaluating procedure reporting questions and modifier-related guidance.
Article Sections
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Surgery: Musculoskeletal System
Questions in this section address musculoskeletal surgery reporting topics, including fusion-related procedures and tendon repair coding guidance.
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Surgery: Respiratory System
This section covers respiratory surgery reporting guidance involving sinus procedures and whether certain modifier reporting is appropriate.
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Surgery: Cardiovascular System
This section discusses cardiovascular surgery reporting for transfusion-related care in the context of COVID-19 treatment.
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Surgery: Digestive System
This section addresses digestive system surgery reporting issues involving a major abdominal procedure and questions about additional work and modifier use.
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Surgery: Eye and Ocular Adnexa
This section reviews reporting for an ophthalmic implant procedure and mentions general considerations related to technique and modifier use.
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Surgery: Nervous System
This section covers nervous system reporting questions involving nerve surgery, radiofrequency ablation, and an unlisted procedure question.
What You Will Learn
- Which surgical specialty areas the FAQ article addresses
- What types of CPT reporting questions are discussed
- How the article treats unlisted procedures and supporting documentation
- What general modifier topics are included in the guidance
- Which procedure-reporting scenarios are covered in the FAQ format
Who Should Read This
- Medical coders
- Coding auditors
- Billing staff
- Compliance professionals
- Physician practices
Codes Discussed
Modifiers Discussed
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