What does CPT code 63047 mean
Elijah King
Published Apr 24, 2026
The Current Procedural Terminology (CPT®) code 63047 as maintained by American Medical Association, is a medical procedural code under the range – Posterior Extradural Laminotomy or Laminectomy for Exploration/ Decompression of Neural Elements or Excision of Herniated Intervertebral Disks Procedures.
What does CPT code 63030 mean?
CPT code 63030 is defined as “Laminotomy (hemilaminectomy), with decompression of nerve root(s), including partial facetectomy, foraminotomy and/or excision of herniated intervertebral disc; 1 interspace, lumbar.”
Does CPT code 63030 need a modifier?
A: If the laminotomy is performed bilaterally, report code 63020 or 63030 with modifier 50 for the first interspace. If a laminotomy of a second interspace is performed bilaterally, use add-on codes to represent additional levels rather than sides.
What is the difference between 63005 and 63047?
CPT 63005 is generally used for removal of the lamina to provide central decompression of the spinal cord. CPT 63047 involves not only removal of lamina for central decompression but also lateral recess decompression in the form of a facetectomy (e.g., medial, partial) and/or foraminotomy for nerve root decompression.Does 63047 need a modifier?
L3-L4 is a single segment so you should be billing only 63047 only along with the scope 69990. You cannot append with a modifier.
Does CPT code 63030 include fluoroscopy?
Basics of Procedures code CPT code 63020, 63030 & 63035 The use of Fluoroscopic guidance code 77003 for spinal procedure should be used very carefully, because now it has been bundled in most of the CPT codes.
What is the difference between 63030 and 63042?
So 63042 is used for revision discectomies. And 63030, in addition to describing laminotomies performed with a discectomy to treat spinal disc herniation using an open procedure, can also describe those performed under endoscopic assistance.
What's the difference between a laminectomy and a laminotomy?
In a laminotomy, your doctor makes a hole in the lamina and removes a small piece of the bone. In a laminectomy, your doctor removes most of the bone.Can CPT code 22630 and 63047 be billed together?
The bottom line is that CPT® considers 63047 with 22630 or 22633 to be an accurate code combination when additional bony work beyond that necessary for exposure of and access to the interspace is performed to accomplish decompression of the thecal sac and/or spinal nerve(s).
What is a total facetectomy?A complete facetectomy is the removal of the entire facet joint on one or both sides of the vertebrae. A complete facetectomy is usually accompanied by a fusion of the two vertebrae with bone graft, a rod, and screws to prevent any movement between them and provide stability to the spine.
Article first time published onWhat is the CPT code for facetectomy?
CPT® 63047 in section: Laminectomy, facetectomy and foraminotomy (unilateral or bilateral with decompression of spinal cord, cauda equina and/or nerve root[s], [eg, spinal or lateral recess stenosis]), single … more.
What is the CPT code for lumbar fusion?
A: You should report CPT code 22612 for the spinal fusion.
Can 63047 and 63056 be billed together?
Expert. 69990 is a component code of both 63056 and 63047. It can not be billed with either one ever.
Can CPT code 63047 and 63048 be billed together?
Use CPT 63045 for cervical or CPT 63047 for lumbar, with additional levels billed with add-on Code +63048 unilateral or bilateral. In this procedure, the physician removes the spinous process. If the stenosis is central, the lamina may be removed out to the articular facets using a burr.
What is the CPT code for lumbar Microdiscectomy?
Microdiscectomy, also known as percutaneous manual nucleotomy, (63030).
What is Laminotomy and Foraminotomy?
A laminotomy is performed to remove a herniated disc during a microdiscectomy or to allow the surgical treatment of a synovial cyst. Foraminotomy: Nerves enter and exit the spinal canal through specialized gaps in spinal joints called foramina.
Is 63048 an add on code?
The denial stands as CPT 63048 is an Add On code and has ASC Payment Indicator of IO and the Surgical procedure not on ASC allowable list.”
What is the difference between 63042 and 63047?
Re-exploration at a level with a recurrent disc herniation can only use CPT code 63042. It should only be used after the global period for the first disc surgery has expired. Repeat facetectomy and lateral recess decompression at a level with a prior decompression must use CPT code 63047 if no disc work is per- formed.
Does CPT code 63048 need a modifier?
Modifiers x 5 – Modifier 51 was added to CPT’s 22630, 22850 & 38220 as all of these codes have a multiple surgery reduction rule attached to it. Modifier 59 was removed from CPT’s 63048 as there is no CCI edit with any of these codes, and modifier 59 is not required.
Does CPT 69990 need a modifier?
CPT has designated code 69990 as an add-on code to report an operating microscope. 69990 should be reported (without modifier 51 appended) in addition to the code for the primary procedure performed.
What is fluoroscopy for?
Fluoroscopy is used in many types of examinations and procedures, such as barium X-rays , cardiac catheterization , arthrography (visualization of a joint or joints), lumbar puncture , placement of intravenous (IV) catheters (hollow tubes inserted into veins or arteries), intravenous pyelogram , hysterosalpingogram, …
What is the CPT code for fluoroscopy?
Fluoroscopy reported as CPT code 76000 is integral to many procedures including, but not limited, to most spinal, endoscopic, and injection procedures and shall not be reported separately. For some of these procedures, there are separate fluoroscopic guidance codes which may be reported separately.
Can you bill for fluoroscopy?
CPT® fluoroscopy codes 76000 (up to 1 hour physician time) and 76001 (physician time greater than 1 hour) are intended for use as stand-alone codes when fluoroscopy is the only imaging performed.
What is a Gill laminectomy?
The Gill’s procedure is a less invasive surgical technique in the treatment of patients with leg pain due to low-grade spondylolytic spondylolisthesis. This technique can be considered as an alternative to instrumented fusion in selected cases.
What is the CPT code for iliac crest bone graft?
CPT 20936 is for a morcellized autograft used in spine procedures which are obtained “through the same incision,” such as from disc material removed during a discectomy. If a morcellized autograft is obtained through a separate incision, such as the iliac bone crest, use CPT 20937 and 38220-59.
How is a laminotomy performed?
How is a laminotomy performed? Your laminotomy will be performed in a hospital or surgical center. Your surgeon will perform the surgery by taking out part of the lamina, the back part of your vertebra. This relieves pressure in your spinal canal or on the nerves in your neck or back.
What is a laminotomy defect?
Laminotomy defect A series of trans- axial. images through the laminae of L5 demonstrates a small defect (arrows) involving the superior right lamina. Minimal postsungical scarring is seen posterior to the laminotomy defect.
What is LAM facetectomy & Foramotomy?
Facetectomy and foraminotomy are the most common spinal surgical procedures recommended for patients suffering from chronic pain due to spinal nerve compression. … In severe cases, the entire facet joint is removed which is referred to as lumbar facetectomy.
Is a discectomy?
Discectomy is surgery to remove lumbar (low back) herniated disc material that is pressing on a nerve root or the spinal cord. It tends to be done as microdiscectomy, which uses a special microscope to view the disc and nerves.
What is the cauda?
Cauda is Latin for tail, and equina is Latin for horse (ie, the “horse’s tail”). The CE provides sensory innervation to the saddle area, motor innervation to the sphincters, and parasympathetic innervation to the bladder and lower bowel (ie, from the left splenic flexure to the rectum).
What is a medial Facetectomy?
Medial Facetectomy removes one or both facet joints on a vertebra. The facet joints help support the weight and control movement between individual vertebra of the spine. Each vertebra connects to the one above and below it through facet joints.