New Category III CPT Codes for Intra-Articular Minimally Invasive SI Joint Fusion

In June 2022, the AMA CPT Editorial Panel announced the creation of a new Category III code for the minimally invasive insertion of a device into the intra-articular SI Joint space.  The code proposal was brought forward by ISASS and presented at the May 2022 CPT Editorial Panel.

The new pending CPT code is:

X034T, Arthrodesis, sacroiliac joint, percutaneous, with image guidance, includes placement of intra-articular implant(s) (eg, bone allograft[s], synthetic device[s])

ISASS sponsored and developed the code change proposal through the CPT Edtiorial Panel with Dr. James Yue, ISASS CPT Advisor and Dr. Domagoj Coric, ISASS President presenting the recommended code descriptors.

The new code will be released in July 2022 and published for January 2023 as part of the 2023 CPT code set.

Since the new code is Category III, no Relative Value Units (RVU) are set for the procedure and providers are expected to provide estimated costs to payers for reimbursement.  ISASS encourages physicians performing the service to determine their practice costs for the service and bill accordingly with the category III code(s).