October 22, 2015

Question:

We’ve been told we cannot bill +22851 and +20931 with the ACDF code, 22551. Is this true?

Answer:

It is true if you are thinking about reporting +22851 (intervertebral device) and +20931 (structural allograft) at the same spinal level. For example, you would not use a PEEK device (+22851) and a structural allograft (+20931) in the same interspace such as at C5-C6. Rather, you would use one or the other.

However, if different products are used at different levels, then it is acceptable to report both codes. For example, a PEEK device is placed at C5-C6 while a structural allograft is placed at C6-C7.

*This response is based on the best information available as of 10/22/15.