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AAPC Exam CPC Topic 7 Question 51 Discussion

Actual exam question for AAPC's CPC exam
Question #: 51
Topic #: 7
[All CPC Questions]

A 60-year-old male suffering from degenerative disc disease at the L3-L4 and L5-S1 levels was placed under general anesthesi

a. Using an anterior approach, the L3-L4 disc space was exposed. Using blunt dissection, the disc space was cleaned. The disc space was then sized and trialed. Excellent placement and insertion of the artificial disc at L3-L4 was noted. The area was inspected and there was no compression of any nerve roots. Same procedure was performed on L5-S1 level. Peritoneum was then allowed to return to normal anatomic position and entire area was copiously irrigated. The wound was closed in a layered fashion. The patient tolerated the discectomy and arthroplasty well and was returned to recovery in good condition. What CPT coding is reported for this procedure?

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Suggested Answer: A

This scenario describes an anterior discectomy and arthroplasty at two levels (L3-L4 and L5-S1) using artificial discs. CPT code 22857 describes total disc arthroplasty (artificial disc), anterior approach, including discectomy to prepare interspace (other than for decompression), single interspace, lumbar. Since the procedure was performed at two levels, the code should be reported twice.


AMA's CPT Professional Edition (current year), Code 22857

Contribute your Thoughts:

Lili
1 days ago
Hmm, this seems like a pretty straightforward question. I think I've got a good handle on the CPT coding for this type of procedure.
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Ira
16 days ago
Ah, I see what you mean, Ming. The key is that the same procedure was done at two different levels, so it's likely 22857, 22860 would be the right answer.
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Louann
5 days ago
Good point, but if both levels are involved, it still makes sense.
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Aleisha
6 days ago
But aren't those two codes for different things?
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Carin
6 days ago
I agree with you, Ming. Both levels were treated.
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Mel
8 days ago
Right, so it's probably 22857, 22860.
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Ming
2 months ago
Wait, doesn't the question mention that the same procedure was performed on both the L3-L4 and L5-S1 levels? If that's the case, then the correct code should be 22857, 22860.
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Hollis
7 days ago
I think you're right, the correct code should be 22857, 22860.
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Lenny
2 months ago
I disagree, I believe the correct answer is B) 22857, 22860.
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Cammy
2 months ago
I think the answer is A) 22857 x 2.
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Lindsey
2 months ago
Hmm, this seems straightforward. The procedure involves two artificial disc replacements, so I'm guessing the correct code is 22857 x 2.
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Marylyn
2 months ago
I think you're right, it should be 22857 x 2 for the two artificial disc replacements.
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