Augmentation of Pedicle Screws

Question:

I injected cement into the pedicles to augment screws in a patient with osteoporosis. My coder suggested using +22859 (Insertion of intervertebral biomechanical device(s) (eg, synthetic cage, mesh, methylmethacrylate) to intervertebral disc space or vertebral body defect without interbody arthrodesis, each contiguous defect (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure)) for this procedure but that didn’t seem right to me. What is your advice?

Answer:

We agree with you that +22859 is not accurate. Augmentation of pedicle screws is not separately reported as it is included in the posterior instrumentation code (e.g., +22840, +22842) when performed.

*This response is based on the best information available as of 10/31/19.