AMA CPT® Assistant - 2008 Issue 2 (February)

Surgery: Musculoskeletal System (February 2008)

February 2008 page 8e Surgery: Musculoskeletal System, 20930, 20931, 20936, 20937, 20938 (Q&A) Question: What is the rationale for relocating the bone graft for spinal surgery codes 20930, 20931, 20936, 20937, and 20938 to the add-on code list (Appendix D)? Answer: The CPT Editorial Panel concluded that codes 20930-20938 are characteristic of add-on codes rather than modifier 51 exempt codes because they are always performed with a defined base code or codes included in parenthetical notes. Add-on codes and modifier 51 exempt codes are similar in that neither should be subject to multiple procedure reductions. Surgery: Musculoskeletal System...

To read the full article, sign in and subscribe to the AMA CPT® Assistant.


Access to this feature is available in the following products:
  • AMA's CPT® Assistant - Current + Archives
  • AMA's CPT® Advanced Coding Pack
 
CPT® Assistant content is the official source for CPT® coding guidance. It is an instrumental tool when appealing insurance denials and validating coding to auditors. Monthly issues and an extensive archive provide comprehensive guidance on proper CPT® coding for past, present and upcoming code set releases. Archives date back to 1990 for historical use of codes, changes, rationales, coding tips and trends in the industry.

demo
request yours today
 subscribe
start today
 newsletter
free subscription

Thank you for choosing Find-A-Code, please Sign In to remove ads.