The International Society for the Advancement of Spine Surgery recently wrote a letter to more than 60 insurance companies commenting on the coding changes for minimally invasive SI joint fusion.
The organization supports decision-making at the patient-physician level and feels "medical necessity should not be determined by mere administrative code reporting systems like CPT." MIS SI joint fusion has a new CPT Category I code to describe "percutaneous/minimally invasive sacroiliac joint arthrodesis."
The new code goes into effect Jan. 1, 2015. ISASS supports the AMA CPT Editorial Panel Category I review and recognition as a "credible therapeutic modality with an appropriate level of evidence." ISASS recommends other payers also cover MIS SI joint fusion.
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