CPT Code 20930 | Allograft Or Synthetic Substitute For Spinal Surgery
CPT 20930 is an add-on code and can be used if a provider applies bone graft material during a primary spinal surgery procedure.
1. What Is CPT Code 20930?
CPT 20930 is an add-on code and can be used for specific spinal procedures in which a surgeon applies pieces of synthetic bone graft material (or donor material) during spinal surgery.
This procedure aims to encourage the growth of the patient’s bone with donor/synthetic bone graft material while they recover from surgery.
2. Description
Add-on code CPT 20930 is described by the CPT book as: “Allograft, morselized, or placement of osteopromotive material, for spine surgery only.”
3. Procedure
The 20930 CPT code procedure is used during primary spinal surgery. The patient is already anesthetized and prepped and is undergoing spinal surgery (for example, spinal dislocation repair or spinal arthrodesis) before the surgeon starts with this add-on procedure.
The provider applies synthetic bone substitutes or morselized allografts to specific areas to encourage bone growth. They then continue with the primary surgical procedure.
4. How To Use CPT Code 20930
CPT code 20930 may only be used in combination with specific spinal procedures. These spinal procedures are described by following CPT codes:
- CPT 22800 until CPT 22812;
- CPT 22634;
- CPT 22633;
- CPT 22630;
- CPT 22590 until CPT 22612;
- CPT 22548 until CPT 22558;
- CPT 22533;
- CPT 22532; and
- CPT 22319.
Double-check with the payer if CPT code 20930 needs to be reported separately. The application of bone graft material may already be included in the primary procedure.
5. Resources
https://www.aapc.com/blog/25658-procedure-coding-made-simple/
https://www.mass.gov/doc/surgery-service-codes-spreadsheet-effective-august-1-2021/download
https://www.ninds.nih.gov/health-information/disorders/spinal-cord-injury
