Myelography CPT Coding Updates: Effects of 4 New Codes and Unintended Consequences

Definition of Myelography

Myelography is a comprehensive radiographic examination of the spine following intrathecal injection of iodinated contrast media, involving assessment of static structures such as the spinal canal and each exit foramen, and dynamic, real-time assessment of contrast injection and its flow dynamics under direct visualization.⁷ Fluoroscopic gastrointestinal studies require maneuvers to move contrast; so too are patient and table maneuvers often used as tools to evaluate canal stenosis, leaks, complications of surgery, and spinal instrumentation. A myelogram is not a single image documenting needle placement but a comprehensive evaluation of the contrast-enhanced thecal sac with assessment of each exit foramen for pathology. Specialized techniques such as flexion, rotation, and hyperextension to show spinal stenosis and lateral recess stenosis are tools chosen by the provider as trouble-shooting techniques of assessment as contrast disperses in the thecal sac. Perhaps, the single most important message of this article is that one should not code for a myelogram when one is using x-ray imaging simply to document the intrathecal location of the needle placement and contrast injection.

Bundling of Myelography CPT Codes

The CPT 2015 Professional Edition⁸ introduced 4 new bundled codes, increasing the total number to 8. The new codes combined intrathecal contrast administration via lumbar injection, fluoroscopic guidance, and x-ray myelographic radiologic supervision and interpretation into codes used only when the same provider performs both injection and myelography on the same day on the same patient. Bundling occurred following recommendations by the Relativity Assessment workgroup screen. The Relativity Assessment workgroup, one of many committees of the Relative Value Scale Update Committee of the AMA, screens for procedures occurring together 75% of the time. Existing codes were not replaced because there are scenarios in which one provider injects the lumbar spine with contrast media and another provider interprets the study.^2,3 Table 1 shows both nonbundled and bundled CPT codes for myelography.

Modifier 59

Distinct from the Relativity Assessment workgroup screen of the AMA, the National Correct Coding Initiative of the Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services reviews codes for potential misuse. The National Correct Coding Initiative flagged myelography and contrast-enhanced CT of the spine and submitted a query to the AMA requesting clarification. Because myelography and contrast-enhanced CT of the lumbar spine occurred in the same patients, the National Correct Coding Initiative was concerned that these concurrent procedures may be unnecessary and duplicative. Subspecialty societies including the American Society of Neuroradiology replied and provided detailed explanations clarifying myelography and contrast-enhanced CT as distinct procedures. Accepting the explanation, the National Correct Coding Initiative recommended that Modifier 59, Distinct Procedural Service, be added to CPT codes if the CT examination is performed following myelography on the same patient on the same day for the reason described above. Table 2 provides CPT codes for CT of the spine with contrast, which have been used since July 1, 2014. Modifier 59 flags and clarifies procedures that may be mistaken as duplicative. Again, this modifier is not applied if x-ray images were merely obtained to check intrathecal spinal needle placement (code 62284). Only in this latter situation can code 62284 be combined with billing code 77003, the code for fluoroscopic guidance.

Coding Permutations for Myelography

To help radiologists and coders understand these coding changes further, we have included a set of scenarios to show various permutations of myelography coding.

Scenario 1 involves intrathecal lumbar injection only (code 62284) followed by CT of the spine with contrast (codes 72126–73132) (Fig 1, path C). This scenario does not include x-ray myelography at all; therefore, neither bundled codes nor Modifier 59 is used. Scenario 1 can include a single provider injecting and interpreting the CT or a single provider injecting (eg, nurse practitioner) and another provider interpreting the CT (eg, neuroradiologist). Again, scenario 1 also allows billing of code 77003, a separate code for fluoroscopic guidance. Code 77003 can only be billed with 62284 if none of the new bundled codes are used (62302–62305), which already account for fluoroscopic guidance. For example, a patient undergoing an intrathecal lumbar injection only followed by CT lumbar spine with contrast would be coded as 62284 + 77003 + 72132. For C1–C2 injection only, use code 61055 instead of 62284.

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Fig 1.

Permutations of myelography coding. A, B, and C denote paths of coding.

Scenario 2 would include both x-ray myelography and CT spine interpretation by a single provider performing both parts (Fig 1, paths A and B). Most important, this scenario warrants the new bundled myelography codes in the last column of Table 1 and the CT spine codes in Table 2 plus Modifier 59. In this scenario, do not bill for fluoroscopic guidance, code 77003. Therefore, a patient receiving intrathecal lumbar injection + lumbar x-ray myelography + CT lumbar spine with contrast would be coded as 62304 (bundled) + 72132 + Modifier 59.

Scenario 3, albeit presumably rare, would involve one provider doing the intrathecal lumbar injection and a second provider performing myelography and interpreting the CT of the spine with contrast (Fig 1, paths A and B). In this scenario, provider 1 performs the intrathecal lumbar injection, which is coded as 62284 + 77003. Provider 2 performs the x-ray myelography, which is coded with an old (unbundled) x-ray myelography code (72240–72270). In addition, provider 2 interprets the CT spine with contrast, which is coded with a CT with contrast code (72126–72132) plus Modifier 59. If no myelography is performed, then provider 1 performs intrathecal injection only (62284 + 77003) and provider 2 interprets the CT spine with contrast, which is coded 72126–73132 without Modifier 59 (scenario 1).