November 11, 2021

Question:
We are a pediatric orthopaedic spine practice. Our surgeons are telling us there is a new CPT code for vertebral body tethering. We have combed through the CPT book and are not able to find a code. Are you able to shed some light?

Answer:
Your surgeons are correct. The AMA added two new Category III codes for Vertebral Body Tethering to their website in December 2020. The codes that follow became effective July 1, 2021 and are published in CPT 2022.

0656T Vertebral body tethering, anterior; up to 7 vertebral segments
0657T          8 or more vertebral segments

The following instructional note applies to these two codes.

• Do not report 0656T, 0657T in conjunction with 22800, 22802, 22804, 22808, 22810, 22812, 22818, 22819, 22845, 22846, 22847

Note that these codes include arthrodesis and instrumentation procedures. Report the new codes in place of the unlisted code you may have used prior to knowing about this release.

Source: https://www.ama-assn.org/system/files/cpt-category3-codes-long-descriptors.pdf 10/26/2021

*This response is based on the best information available as of 11/11/21.