Coding percutaneous rods and screws: Part 1

Question:

What if we do the surgeon does an ALIF, 22558 on one day then the second day the only procedure is placing a percutaneous screws and rods (no posterior fusion/bone graft).  Do we bill +22840-58 on the second day?

Answer:

Placement of percutaneous screws and rods is reported using the usual posterior instrumentation codes. However, when there is no applicable primary procedure code such as in this case then you’ll have to use an unlisted code for the procedure (22899 Unlisted procedure, spine).

*This response is based on the best information available as of 10/5/23.