September 2002 page 10d
Coding Consultation:Surgery/Nervous System
Nervous System, 63030 (Q&A)
Question
We received a denial from the payor stating that code 63030 is a bilateral procedure. Per CPT, is this a unilateral or bilateral procedure?
AMA Comment
CPT code 63030, Laminotomy (hemilaminectomy), with decompression of nerve root(s), including partial facetectomy, foraminotomy and/or excision of herniated intervertebral disk; one interspace, lumbar (including open or endoscopically-assisted approach), is a unilateral code. As stated in the parenthetical note following code 63030, modifier '-50,' Bilateral procedure, should be used to identify a bilateral laminotomy (hemilaminectomy).
Surgery/Nervous System (September 2002). CPT®...
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