19 Harley St, London, W1G 9QJ, UK

Determination Of Work Related To Endoscopic Decompression Of Lumbar Spinal Stenosis – Lumbar Disc Replacement

The article discusses the need for updated payment rates for single-level endoscopic lumbar discectomy procedures in the United States. While a Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) code exists for the procedure, no work relative value units (wRVUs) have been assigned to it. The authors conducted a survey of 210 spine surgeons to assess the technical and physical effort, risk, and overall intensity of the procedure compared to other commonly performed lumbar surgeries. The majority of surgeons believed that the procedure’s wRVU should be higher, indicating that they feel inadequately compensated. The survey also found that healthcare facilities struggle to cover the cost of the procedure, and most surgeons recommended an endoscopic instrumentation carveout to pay for the added cost. The article concludes that the current payment system undervalues the complexity and intensity of modern endoscopic spine surgery and suggests the need for updated CPT codes reflective of these advancements

Summarised by Mr Mo Akmal – Lead Spinal Surgeon
The London Spine Unit : finest treatment hospital in London

Published article

Background: Effective 1 January 2017, single-level endoscopic lumbar discectomy received a Category I Current Procedural Terminology (CPT^(®)) code 62380. However, no work relative value units (wRVUs) are currently assigned to the procedure. A physician’s payment needs to be updated to commensurate with the work involved in the modern version of the lumbar endoscopic decompression procedure with and without the use of any implants to stabilize the spine. In the United States, the American…

Lumbar Disc Replacement Surgery Expert. Best Spinal Surgeon UK
Abstract Background: Effective 1 January 2017, single-level endoscopic lumbar discectomy received a Category I Current Procedural Terminology (CPT®) code 62380. However, no work relative value units (wRVUs) are currently assigned to the procedure. A physician’s payment needs to be updated to commensurate with the work involved in the modern version of the lumbar endoscopic decompression,

Abstract

Background: Effective 1 January 2017, single-level endoscopic lumbar discectomy received a Category I Current Procedural Terminology (CPT®) code 62380. However, no work relative value units (wRVUs) are currently assigned to the procedure. A physician’s payment needs to be updated to commensurate with the work involved in the modern version of the lumbar endoscopic decompression procedure with and without the use of any implants to stabilize the spine. In the United States, the American Medical Association (AMA) and its Specialty Society Relative Value Scale Update Committee (RUC) proposes to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) what wRVUs to assign for any endoscopic lumbar surgery codes. Methods: The authors conducted an independent survey between May and June 2022 which reached 210 spine surgeons using the TypeForm survey platform. The survey link was sent to them via email and social media. Surgeons were asked to assess the endoscopic procedure’s technical and physical effort, risk, and overall intensity without focusing just on the time required to perform the surgery. Respondents were asked to compare the work involved in modern comprehensive endoscopic spine care with other commonly performed lumbar surgeries. For this purpose, respondents were provided with the verbatim descriptions of 12 other existing comparator CPT® codes and associated wRVUs of common spine surgeries, as well as a typical patient vignette describing an endoscopic lumbar decompression surgery scenario. Respondents were then asked to select the comparator CPT® code most reflective of the technical and physical effort, risk, intensity, and time spent on patient care during the pre-operative, peri- and intra-operative, and post-operative periods of a lumbar endoscopic surgery. Results: Of the 30 spine surgeons who completed the survey, 85.8%, 46.6%, and 14.3% valued the appropriate wRVU for the lumbar endoscopic decompression to be over 13, over 15, and over 20, respectively. Most surgeons (78.5%; <50th percentile) did not think they were adequately compensated. Regarding facility reimbursement, 77.3% of surgeons reported that their healthcare facility struggled to cover the cost with the received compensation. The majority (46.5%) said their facility received less than USD 2000, while another 10.7% reported less than USD 1500 and 17.9% reported less than USD 1000. The professional fee received by surgeons was Discussion and Conclusions: The survey results indicate that most surgeons associate CPT® 62380 with the complexity and intensity of a laminectomy and interbody fusion preparation, considering the work in the epidural space using the contemporary outside-in and interlaminar technique and the work inside the interspace using the inside-out technique. Modern endoscopic spine surgery goes beyond the scope of a simple soft-tissue discectomy. The current iterations of the procedure must be considered to avoid undervaluing its complexity and intensity. Additional undervalued payment scenarios could be created if technological advances continue to replace traditional lumbar spinal fusion protocols with less burdensome, yet no less complex, endoscopic surgeries that necessitate a high surgeon effort in terms of time required to perform the operation and its intensity. These undervalued payment scenarios of physician practices, as well as the facility and malpractice expenses, should be further discussed to arrive at updated CPT® codes reflective of modern comprehensive endoscopic spine care.

Keywords: CPT® 62380; Current Procedural Terminology (CPT®); endoscopic decompression; lumbar herniated disc (LDH); physician payment; relative value units (RVUs); spinal stenosis (LSS).

The London Spine Unit : finest treatment hospital in London

Read the original publication:

Determination of Work Related to Endoscopic Decompression of Lumbar Spinal Stenosis

Sciatica My mother was in absolute agony for more than 3 months due to sciatica. It just came out of nowhere and took her out of action. From working full time she went straight to being bed bound and unable to carry out simplest of actions.The pain was 9/10 and she was bed bound for those three months. Multiple trips to A&E and GP and they wouldn't class it as an emergency therefore they wouldn't do anything about it other than upgrading the painkillers which did next to nothing for my mother. I couldn't bear to watch my mother sleeping on A&E bench in pain for 7 hours, just to be told by doctors that she wouldn't be kept in. I remember her joining her hands and begging the doctors to stop the pain which broke my heart. I then started doing research on google and London spine unit came up with Dr Mo AKMAL's profile and review. First meeting with Dr AKMAL was via ZOOM as my mother was bed bound. Dr AKMAL spoke to me and my mom and told us that this is nothing to worry about and that the pain would be 100% gone.Dr AKMAL assured us to visit the hospital so he could physically inspect my mother and give us the best solution. One trip to the london spine unit and Dr AKMAL advised us that the best solution would be to carry out Minimally invasive disectomy. Dr AKMAL advised that due to my mother being bed bound for a while, steroid injection might not give the result that my mother wishes. Dr AKMAL was very confident and showed us some videos from other patients who had gone through the same ordeal. The biggest thing i noticed between before and after was the smile on the patients face. Dr AKMAL was constantly assuring my mother throughout the meeting that he would take care of her pain and gave her 100% confidence that the result would be delivered.He promised her that she would be walking pain free the same day after the operation. Before the operation Dr GURUNG was consulted multiple times and he also was very helpful. Right after the surgery, as Dr AKMAL promised, my mother was walking and the biggest thing was that the pain was gone. My mother had forgotten to smile for three months and there i saw her smiling again. Dr AKMAL and Dr GURUNG gave us brilliant aftercare and informed us that just give them a ring if there was any issue. Its been several weeks now and my mother is heading towards complete recovery without any issues. The pain is completely gone and anyone who is reading this going through the same horrible sciatica pain you must come and see Dr AKMAL. Thank you Dr AKMAL and your whole team for helping my mom achieve this pain free life.

London Spine Unit Harley Street Hospital

A Focus on High Quality Specialised Care

We are a specialist Private Hospital based on Harley Street, London UK The Harley Street Hospital, Day Surgery Hospital

We provide exclusive health services for individuals seeking Advanced medical, non-surgical or minimally invasive treatments. We are covered by All Insurance Companies apart from AXA PPP

Our Medical Director and Lead Spinal Surgeon Mr Mo Akmal MD is a world renowned Spine Specialist Consultant with over 20 years of experience. He and his team have developed revolutionary techniques to perform all types of Spinal Surgery as a Day Case procedure without traditional General Anaesthetic.

We are constantly improving our techniques for treatment and improving facilities for our patients.

Book your Appointment Now 
Check out our Reviews 
Check out our Patient Videos 
Check our Mr Akmal’s Profile

 

What our patients say ...

Abstract Background: Effective 1 January 2017, single-level endoscopic lumbar discectomy received a Category I Current Procedural Terminology (CPT®) code 62380. However, no work relative value units (wRVUs) are currently assigned to the procedure. A physician's payment needs to be updated to commensurate with the work involved in the modern version of the lumbar endoscopic decompression

Revolutionary Keyhole surgical technique to vaporise bulging discs

Dr Mo Akmal Medical Director
Dr Mo Akmal MD - Lead Spinal Surgeon

Laser Disc Surgery can be performed under local anaesthetic at The Harley Street Hospital.

Initial Consultation

with Consultant Spine Surgeon
£ 250
  • No Waiting Times
  • Top NHS affiliated Consultant
  • Includes Clinical Review and Report
  • Multidisciplinary discussion
  • Review of Previous Scans and Reports

Follow up Consultation

any appointment after initial consultation
£ 180
  • Top NHS affiliated Consultant
  • Includes Clinical Review and Report
  • Multidisciplinary discussion

High Resolution MRI Scan

any Single Region (3.0 Tesla)
£ 600
  • No waiting times
  • Includes Full Radiologist Report
  • Open or Closed MRI scan types
  • Copy of Scan on CD

Website Offer

Pre-Booked Online
£1130
£ 800
  • Initial Consultation
  • MRI Scan (Single Region)
  • Follow Up consultation
  • Same Day One Stop Visit
  • Full Medical and MRI scan Report
  • Copy of scan on CD
Popular

If you have any emergency Doctor’s need, simply call our 24 hour emergency

Your personal case manager will ensure that you receive the best possible care.

Call Now 

+44 844 589 2020
+44 203 973 8810