The American Medical Association's Current Procedural Technology Editorial Panel published the 2015 Professional Edition Manual, including the newly-created CPT code for minimally invasive sacroiliac joint fusion.
The new CPT code is 27279 for minimally invasive surgical sacroiliac joint fusion and will be effective Jan. 1, 2015. The SI joint is the pain generator in up to 22 percent of low back patients.
"Publication by the American Medical Association of new Category I CPT code for the MIS SI joint fusion procedure is a milestone," said Michael Mydra, vice president of health outcomes and reimbursement for SI-BONE, which pioneered the iFuse Implant System for MIS SI joint fusion. "Specifically, the MIS procedure is now recognized as an accepted standard of care for patients requiring sacroiliac joint fusion for conditions including sacroiliac joint dysfunction that is a direct result of sacroiliac joint disruptions and degenerative sacroiliitis."