In simple words: If you're having a kyphoplasty to fix a broken bone in your back, this code is used for each additional bone treated in the same area during the same procedure.The doctor inserts a small instrument through the skin to access the bone, creates space within the bone, injects cement, and may take a bone sample.

This add-on code describes the percutaneous vertebral augmentation procedure performed on each additional thoracic or lumbar vertebral body during the same session. The procedure involves creating a cavity, reducing the fracture (if present), and performing a bone biopsy (if performed) using a mechanical device like kyphoplasty. Imaging guidance is included. This code is listed separately in addition to the primary procedure code (22513 for thoracic or 22514 for lumbar).

Example 1: A patient presents with compression fractures at T11 and T12. Percutaneous vertebral augmentation is performed on both vertebrae during the same session. 22513 is reported for T11 (primary procedure), and 22515 is reported for T12., A patient has compression fractures at L2, L3, and L4. Kyphoplasty is performed on all three vertebrae during the same session. 22514 is reported for L2, and 22515 is reported twice, once for L3 and once for L4., A patient undergoes percutaneous vertebral augmentation at L1 and subsequent bone biopsy at the same level during the same session. 22514 is reported for the vertebral augmentation at L1, but 20225 is not reported separately as bone biopsy at the same level is included in 22514.If an additional level, such as L2, was treated with vertebral augmentation at the same session, 22515 would be reported for L2.

Documentation should include: type of procedure (e.g. kyphoplasty), levels treated, imaging guidance used, any associated procedures (fracture reduction, biopsy), medical necessity.