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AAPC CPC Exam - Topic 14 Question 67 Discussion

Posted by Dorethea on Aug 12, 2026 at 10:56 PM

A 67-year-old male presents with DJD and spondylolisthesis at L4-L5 The patient is placed prone on the operating table and, after induction of general anesthesia, the lower back is sterilely prepped and draped. One incision was made over L1-L5. This was confirmed with a probe under fluoroscopy. Laminectomies are done at vertebral segments L4 and L5 with facetectomies to relieve pressure to the nerve roots. Allograft was packed in the gutters from L1-L5 for a posterior arthrodesis. Pedicle screws were placed at L2, L3, and L4. The construct was copiously irrigated and muscle; fascia and skin were closed in layers.

Select the procedure codes for this scenario.

Suggested Answer: C

Laminectomy and Facetectomy (63047 and 63048): The laminectomies at L4 and L5 with facetectomies fall under CPT codes 63047 (for the initial segment) and 63048 (for each additional segment).

Posterior Arthrodesis (22612 and 22614 x 3): The posterior arthrodesis from L1-L5 is coded with 22612 for the primary segment (L4-L5) and 22614 for each additional segment (L1-L4).

Placement of Pedicle Screws (22842): The placement of pedicle screws at L2, L3, and L4 is captured under CPT code 22842 for segmental instrumentation.


AMA's CPT Professional Edition (current year)

ICD-10-CM (current year)

HCPCS Level II (current year)

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12 comments · newest first
DE
Della 3 days ago
I lean towards option C. The details match well with the procedure.
MA
Maia 8 days ago
I think option A is correct. Two laminectomies and the arthrodesis fit.
MA
Matthew 13 days ago
This question is tricky. I feel unsure about the codes.
CA
Catarina 18 days ago
Laminectomies and pedicle screws? Classic combo for these cases!
VI
Vi 23 days ago
I disagree, I feel like option A might be more accurate.
RE
Regenia 29 days ago
Wait, are we really using allograft here? That's surprising!
JA
Jacinta 1 month ago
I think it's definitely option C. Those codes fit the description well.
KE
Kenneth 1 month ago
Sounds like a complex case with multiple procedures involved.
GO
Golda 1 month ago
I believe the laminectomy codes are 63047 and 63048, but I’m not confident about the rest of the codes in this scenario.
EV
Evangelina 2 months ago
I practiced a similar question, and I feel like the pedicle screws should be 22842, but I can't recall if it’s x3 or just once.
AN
An 2 months ago
I think the posterior arthrodesis part is 22612, but I’m confused about how many times to code 22614 for the screws.
ED
Edda 2 months ago
I remember that laminectomies are typically coded separately for each level, but I'm not sure if it’s 63005 or 63042 for this case.
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