Reduction of Spondylolisthesis

Question:

It was recently brought to my attention that there is a code for spondylolisthesis reduction (22325, Open treatment and/or reduction of vertebral fracture(s) and/or dislocation(s), posterior approach, 1 fractured vertebra or dislocated segment; lumbar). I do many procedures in which I reduce spondylolisthesis. In fact, I did two yesterday. Can I use 22325 in addition to 63047 on these procedures?

Answer:

Actually, the open fracture treatment codes (22325-22328) are intended for reduction/repair of traumatic fractures. For treatment of spondylolisthesis, it is best to use a code from the 630xx series of CPT such as 63047 or even 63012. It is not accurate to report a fracture treatment code (22325) with a decompression code (63047) for a procedure at the same spinal level.

*This response is based on the best information available as of 03/17/16.