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2025 CPT code 63001

Laminectomy with exploration and/or decompression of the spinal cord and/or cauda equina, without facetectomy, foraminotomy, or discectomy, for conditions such as spinal stenosis, involving one or two vertebral segments in the cervical region.

Code 63001 is specific to laminectomy of one or two cervical segments without any facetectomy, foraminotomy, or discectomy. For procedures involving more than two segments, or when facetectomy, foraminotomy, or discectomy are performed, different codes apply (e.g., 63015 for more than two segments). When 63001 is followed by arthrodesis, see codes 22590-22614. For microsurgery and/or use of a microscope, use 69990. For percutaneous decompression, see 62287, 0274T, 0275T.

Medical necessity for 63001 is established by documentation demonstrating significant neurological symptoms or functional deficits caused by spinal cord compression at the cervical level, along with evidence that conservative treatments have failed to provide relief. Imaging studies should clearly demonstrate the compression and its location. Symptoms may include radiculopathy, myelopathy, or other neurological deficits related to spinal stenosis.

The surgeon removes the lamina of one or two cervical vertebrae, relieving compression on the spinal cord and/or cauda equina. The focus is on decompressing the central spinal elements, not individual nerve roots. The procedure doesn't include work on facet joints, intervertebral foramina, or discs.

In simple words: This procedure removes a small part of the bone in your neck to relieve pressure on your spinal cord and nerves. This helps to alleviate symptoms caused by conditions like spinal stenosis. The procedure does not involve work on the facet joints, nerve openings, or discs in your neck.

This procedure involves the surgical removal of the lamina (the bony arch of the vertebra) in one or two cervical vertebral segments to relieve pressure on the spinal cord and/or cauda equina. It is typically performed to address conditions like spinal stenosis. This code specifically excludes procedures that include a facetectomy (removal of a facet joint), foraminotomy (enlargement of the opening for a nerve root), or discectomy (removal of a herniated disc).

Example 1: A patient presents with cervical spinal stenosis causing pain and numbness in their arms. Imaging reveals compression of the spinal cord at C5-C6. A laminectomy (63001) is performed to decompress the spinal cord at these two vertebral levels., A patient experiences progressive weakness in their legs due to cervical myelopathy. MRI confirms spinal cord compression at C7. A laminectomy (63001) is performed on the C7 vertebra to decompress the spinal cord., A patient with a history of trauma experiences worsening neck pain and difficulty with fine motor skills. Imaging demonstrates spinal cord compression at C4-C5 due to bony overgrowth. The surgeon performs a laminectomy (63001) at C4-C5 to decompress the spinal cord.

Operative report detailing the specific levels of the laminectomy, confirmation of no facetectomy, foraminotomy, or discectomy performed, and pre- and post-operative imaging studies (e.g., MRI, CT) documenting the spinal cord compression.

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