Billing for Costotransversectomy

Question:

If the exposure is thoracic, for example in a thoracic corpectomy, and the documentation states a costotransversectomy was performed, can that be billed separately?

Answer:

Costotransversectomy (e.g., 21610) is included in a thoracic corpectomy and not separately billed. Note also that 21610 states “separate procedure” so it is never billed with a more inclusive code.

*This response is based on the best information available as of 08/25/22.