2025 CPT code 62267
Effective Date: N/A Surgery - Surgical Procedures on the Nervous System Feed
Percutaneous aspiration of the nucleus pulposus, intervertebral disc, or paravertebral tissue for diagnostic purposes.
Modifiers may be applicable to 62267.Modifier 22 (Increased Procedural Services) could be used if the procedure was significantly more complex than usual. Modifier 52 (Reduced Services) would be applied if the procedure was not completed as planned. Modifier 59 (Distinct Procedural Service) would apply in specific situations. Use modifiers appropriately according to individual payer guidelines.
Medical necessity for 62267 is established when there's a clinical suspicion of infection or inflammation in the intervertebral disc, paravertebral tissues, or nucleus pulposus, and the procedure is performed to obtain a diagnostic sample.The documentation must support the clinical rationale for the procedure.
The provider positions the patient, preps the area, and gives a local anesthetic. Using imaging, they insert a needle into the spinal column, advance it to the correct spot, and collect fluid or tissue samples. The samples are sent to a lab, the needle is removed, and a dressing is applied.
In simple words: The doctor uses a needle to collect fluid or tissue from the spine to test for problems like infections.This is done through the skin with imaging guidance to help the doctor see where the needle is going.
Percutaneous aspiration within the nucleus pulposus, intervertebral disc, or paravertebral tissue for diagnostic purposes. This procedure involves aspirating fluid or tissue from the intervertebral discs, paravertebral tissue, or nucleus pulposus using image guidance (fluoroscopy or CT) for diagnostic evaluation, such as identifying infections.
Example 1: A patient presents with back pain and fever, raising suspicion of a spinal infection. A percutaneous aspiration (62267) is performed to collect fluid for testing to confirm the diagnosis., A patient with a history of intravenous drug use develops severe back pain. A percutaneous aspiration (62267) is performed to rule out a disc infection., A patient with a known herniated disc experiences worsening symptoms. A percutaneous aspiration (62267) is performed to collect fluid for analysis to determine if there is an associated infection.
Documentation should include details of the patient's symptoms, the area of the spine targeted, the type of imaging guidance used, the samples obtained, and the results of any laboratory tests.
- Revenue Code: P6C - MINOR PROCEDURES - OTHER (MEDICARE FEE SCHEDULE)
- Specialties:Pain Management, Neurosurgery, Orthopedic Surgery, Radiology
- Place of Service:Inpatient Hospital, Outpatient Hospital, Ambulatory Surgical Center