On January 31, ISASS submitted comments to Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) regarding two sets of coding edits, one set implemented in September 2015 and another set scheduled for implementation on March 1, 2017. The coding edits bundle:

• laminectomy codes 63042, 63047 and 63048 with lumbar fusion codes 22630 and 22633
• additional level posterior/posterolateral fusion code 22614 with codes 22600, 22610, 22612, 22630 and 22633
• vertebral corpectomy codes 63081, 63082, 63085, 63086, 63087 and 63088 with lumbar fusion code 22558

These coding edits mean that surgeons will only be reimbursed by Anthem BCBS for the primary procedure and will no longer be reimbursed by Anthem BCBS for the bundled procedure. ISASS strongly opposes these coding edits and has requested Anthem BCBS retract the edits.