How To Use CPT Code 63308

CPT 63308 describes the excision of a vertebral body, either partially or completely, to remove an intraspinal lesion. This article will cover the description, procedure, qualifying circumstances, appropriate usage, documentation requirements, billing guidelines, historical information and billing examples.

1. What is CPT Code 63308?

CPT 63308 can be used to describe the excision of a single vertebral body, either partially or completely, to remove an intraspinal lesion. This code is used when the provider removes the main body of a vertebra to relieve pressure on the spinal cord caused by a well-defined area of damaged or diseased tissue.

2. Official Description

The official description of CPT code 63308 is: ‘Vertebral corpectomy (vertebral body resection), partial or complete, for excision of intraspinal lesion, single segment; each additional segment (List separately in addition to codes for single segment).’ This code should be used in conjunction with codes 63300-63307 for each additional segment.

3. Procedure

1. The provider performs a partial or complete excision of the main body of a single vertebra to remove an intraspinal lesion.
2. The procedure may involve an anterior or anterolateral approach.
3. The provider makes an incision and removes the diseased and damaged part of the vertebral bone.
4. The provider removes the discs above and below the vertebrae and inserts bolts for stability.
5. A bone graft is inserted into the vertebral gap.
6. A metal plate may be used to close the vertebral gap and provide additional stability.

4. Qualifying circumstances

Patients eligible for CPT 63308 are those with an intraspinal lesion that requires the excision of a vertebral body. The procedure is performed to relieve pressure on the spinal cord and is typically done for well-defined areas of damaged or diseased tissue. The provider must use an anterior or anterolateral approach and may need to cut into the dura, the fibrous membrane that covers the central nervous system.

5. When to use CPT code 63308

CPT code 63308 should be used when the provider performs a partial or complete excision of a single vertebral body to remove an intraspinal lesion. This code should be reported for each additional segment that is removed in addition to the primary code for the first vertebral body.

6. Documentation requirements

To support a claim for CPT 63308, the provider must document the following information:

• Location of the intraspinal lesion
• Approach used (anterior or anterolateral)
• Whether the procedure was intradural or extradural
• Details of the excision, including the extent of the vertebral body removed
• Any additional procedures performed, such as arthrodesis or spinal reconstruction
• Signature of the provider performing the procedure

7. Billing guidelines

When billing for CPT 63308, ensure that the excision of the vertebral body is performed for the removal of an intraspinal lesion. Use the appropriate CPT code for the first vertebral body removed and report CPT code 63308 for each additional segment. It is important to document the approach used and whether the procedure was intradural or extradural. Additional procedures, such as arthrodesis or spinal reconstruction, may be reported separately.

8. Historical information

CPT 63308 was added to the Current Procedural Terminology system on January 1, 1990. In 2017, it was added to the Inpatient Only (IPO) list for Medicare.

9. Examples

1. A surgeon performs a partial excision of the C4 vertebral body to remove an intraspinal lesion using an anterior approach.
2. A neurosurgeon performs a complete excision of the T12 vertebral body to remove an intraspinal lesion using an anterolateral approach.
3. An orthopedic surgeon performs a partial excision of the L5 vertebral body to remove an intraspinal lesion using an anterior approach.
4. A spine surgeon performs a complete excision of the C7 vertebral body to remove an intraspinal lesion using an anterolateral approach.
5. A neurosurgeon performs a partial excision of the T8 vertebral body to remove an intraspinal lesion using an anterior approach.
6. An orthopedic surgeon performs a complete excision of the L4 vertebral body to remove an intraspinal lesion using an anterolateral approach.
7. A spine surgeon performs a partial excision of the C6 vertebral body to remove an intraspinal lesion using an anterior approach.
8. A neurosurgeon performs a complete excision of the T10 vertebral body to remove an intraspinal lesion using an anterolateral approach.
9. An orthopedic surgeon performs a partial excision of the L3 vertebral body to remove an intraspinal lesion using an anterior approach.
10. A spine surgeon performs a complete excision of the C5 vertebral body to remove an intraspinal lesion using an anterolateral approach.