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Research ArticleArticles

Paired Comparison Survey Analyses Utilizing Rasch Methodology of the Relative Difficulty and Estimated Work Relative Value Units of CPT® Code 27279

Morgan Lorio, Melissa Martinson and Lisa Ferrara
International Journal of Spine Surgery January 2016, 10 40; DOI: https://doi.org/10.14444/3040
Morgan Lorio
1Neuro Spine Solutions, P.C., Bristol TN
MD
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Melissa Martinson
2Technomics Research, Minneapolis MN
PhD
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Lisa Ferrara
3OrthoKinetic Technologies, Southport, NC
PhD
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    Fig. 1

    Results of Regression Analysis to Estimate Work RVU of CPT® 27279

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    Fig. 2

    Results of Regression Analysis to Estimate RVUs of CPT® 27279.

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    Table 1

    CPT® Codes Used in the First Survey.

    CPT® CodeDescriptionWorkRVUs*
    22015Incision and drainage, open, of deep abscess (subfascial), posterior spine; lumbar, sacral, or lumbosacral12.64
    22554Arthrodesis, anterior interbody technique, including minimal discectomy to prepare interspace (other than for decompression); cervical below C217.69
    27280Arthrodesis, sacroiliac joint (including obtaining graft), open14.64
    62287Decompression procedure, percutaneous, of nucleus pulposus of intervertebral disc, any method utilizing needle based technique to remove disc material under fluoroscopic imaging or other form of indirect visualization, with the use of an endoscope, with discography and/or epidural in-jection(s) at the treated level(s), when performed, single or multiple levels, lumbar9.03
    62292Injection procedure for chemonucleosis, including discography, intervertebral disc, single or multiple levels, lumbar9.24
    63030Laminotomy (hemilaminectomy), with decompression of nerve root(s), including partial facetectomy, foraminotomy and/or excision of herniated intervertebral disc; 1 interspace, lumbar13.18
    63620Stereotactic radiosurgery (particle beam, gamma ray, or linear accelerator), 1 spinal lesion15.60
    63655Laminectomy for implantation of neurostimulator electrodes, plate/paddle, epidural10.92
    63662Removal of spinal neurostimulator electrode plate/paddle(s) placed via laminotomy or laminectomy, including fluoroscopy, when performed11.00
    63663Revision including replacement, when performed, of spinal neurostimulator electrode percutaneous array(s), including fluoroscopy, when performed7.75
    27279 Sacroiliac joint stabilization for arthrodesis, percutaneous or minimally invasive (indirect visualization), with image guidance including bone graft when performed, and placement of transfixing device (short descriptor: Arthrodesis, sacroiliac joint) 9.03**
    • ↵* Representative of 2014 work RVU. Source: RBRVS Data Manager 2014.

    • ↵** Not included in the regression analysis; the RVUs were estimated by regression analysis.

    • View popup
    Table 2

    CPT Codes Used in the Second Survey.

    CPT® CodeDescriptionWork RVUs*
    21556Excision, tumor, soft tissue of neck or anterior thorax, subfascial (e.g., intramuscular); less than 5 cm7.66
    21932Excision, tumor, soft tissue of back or flank, subfascial (e.g., intramuscular); less than 5 cm9.82
    22015Incision and drainage, open, of deep abscess (subfascial), posterior spine; lumbar, sacral, or lumbosacral12.64
    22100partial excision of posterior vertebral column (e.g. spinous process, lamina, facet) for intrinsic bony lesion, single vertebral segment, cervical11.00
    22101partial excision of posterior vertebral column (e.g. spinous process, lamina, facet) for intrinsic bony lesion, single vertebral segment, thoracic11.08
    22102partial excision of posterior vertebral column (e.g. spinous process, lamina, facet) for intrinsic bony lesion, single vertebral segment, lumbar11.08
    22315closed treatment of vertebral fracture and or dislocation requiring casting or bracing, with and including casting and or bracing by manipulation or traction10.11
    22510Percutaneous vertebroplasty (bone biopsy included when performed), 1 vertebral body, unilateral or bilateral injection, inclusive of all imaging guidance; cervicothoracic8.15
    22511Percutaneous vertebroplasty (bone biopsy included when performed), 1 vertebral body, unilateral or bilateral injection, inclusive of all imaging guidance; lumbosacral7.58
    22513Percutaneous vertebral augmentation, including cavity creation (fracture reduction and bone biopsy included when performed) using mechanical device (e.g., kyphoplasty), 1 vertebral body, unilateral or bilateral cannulation, inclusive of all imaging guidance; thoracic8.90
    22514Percutaneous vertebral augmentation, including cavity creation (fracture reduction and bone biopsy included when performed) using mechanical device (e.g., kyphoplasty), 1 vertebral body, unilateral or bilateral cannulation, inclusive of all imaging guidance; lumbar8.24
    22554Arthrodesis, anterior interbody technique, including minimal discectomy to prepare interspace (other than for decompression); cervical below C217.69
    27048Excision, tumor, soft tissue of pelvis and hip area, subfascial (e.g., intramuscular); less than 5 cm21.55
    27050Arthrotomy, with biopsy; sacroiliac joint4.74
    27052Arthrotomy, with biopsy; hip joint7.42
    27216Percutaneous skeletal fixation of posterior pelvic bone fracture and/or dislocation, for fracture patterns that disrupt the pelvic ring, unilateral (includes ipsilateral ilium, sacroiliac joint, and/or sacrum15.73
    27235Percutaneous skeletal fixation of femoral fracture, proximal end, neck13.00
    27280Arthrodesis, sacroiliac joint (including obtaining graft), open14.64
    62287Decompression procedure, percutaneous, of nucleus pulposus of intervertebral disc, any method utilizing needle based technique to remove disc material under fluoroscopic imaging or other form of indirect visualization, with the use of an endoscope, with discography and/or epidural injection(s) at the treated level(s), when performed, single or multiple levels, lumbar9.03
    62292Injection procedure for chemonucleosis, including discography, intervertebral disc, single or multiple levels, lumbar9.24
    63030Laminotomy (hemilaminectomy), with decompression of nerve root(s), including partial facetectomy, foraminotomy and/or excision of herniated intervertebral disc; 1 interspace, lumbar13.18
    63075Discectomy, anterior, with decompression of spinal cord and/or nerve root(s), including osteophytectomy, cervical, single interspace19.60
    63620Stereotactic radiosurgery (particle beam, gamma ray, or linear accelerator), 1 spinal lesion15.60
    63650Percutaneous implantation of neurostimulator electrode array, epidural7.15
    63655Laminectomy for implantation of neurostimulator electrodes, plate/paddle, epidural10.92
    63662Removal of spinal neurostimulator electrode plate/paddle(s) placed via laminotomy or laminectomy, including fluoroscopy, when performed11.00
    63663Revision including replacement, when performed, of spinal neurostimulator electrode percutaneous array(s), including fluoroscopy, when performed7.75
    27279 Sacroiliac joint stabilization for arthrodesis, percutaneous or minimally invasive (indirect visualization), with image guidance including bone graft when performed, and placement of transfixing device (short descriptor: Arthrodesis, sacroiliac joint) 9.03**
    • ↵* Representative of 2014 work RVU. Source: RBRVS Data Manager 2014.

    • ↵** Not included in the regression analysis; the RVUs were estimated by regression analysis.

    • View popup
    Table 3

    Difficulty Scores Estimated by the Rasch Analysis.

    CPT® CodeDescriptionDifficulty Score
    22015Incision and drainage, open, of deep abscess (subfascial), posterior spine; lumbar, sacral, or lumbosacral-1.55808
    22554Arthrodesis, anterior interbody technique, including minimal discectomy to prepare interspace (other than for decompression); cervical below C20.00000
    27280Arthrodesis, sacroiliac joint (including obtaining graft), open0.65616
    62287Decompression procedure, percutaneous, of nucleus pulposus of intervertebral disc, any method utilizing needle based technique to remove disc material under fluoroscopic imaging or other form of indirect visualization, with the use of an endoscope, with discography and/or epidural injection(s) at the treated level(s), when performed, single or multiple levels, lumbar-1.55808
    62292Incision and drainage, open, of deep abscess (subfascial), posterior spine; lumbar, sacral, or lumbosacral-1.94415
    63030Laminotomy (hemilaminectomy), with decompression of nerve root(s), including partial facetectomy, foraminotomy and/or excision of herniated intervertebral disc; 1 interspace, lumbar-1.19898
    63620Stereotactic radiosurgery (particle beam, gamma ray, or linear accelerator), 1 spinal lesion-0.69098
    63655Laminectomy for implantation of neurostimulator electrodes, plate/paddle, epidural-0.44980
    63662Removal of spinal neurostimulator electrode plate/pad-dle(s) placed via laminotomy or laminectomy, including fluoroscopy, when performed-1.23454
    63663Revision including replacement, when performed, of spinal neurostimulator electrode percutaneous array(s), including fluoroscopy, when performed-0.90799
    27279Sacroiliac joint stabilization for arthrodesis, percutaneous or minimally invasive (indirect visualization), with image guidance including bone graft when performed, and placement of transfixing device (short descriptor: Arthrodesis, sacroiliac joint)0.0000*
    • ↵* Assigned for comparative purposes.

    • View popup
    Table 4

    Specialties of Participants in the Second Survey.

    SpecialtyNumberPercent
    Neurosurgery926%
    Orthopedics926%
    Spine Surgery1647%
    TOTAL34100%
    • View popup
    Table 5

    Difficulty Scores Estimated by the Rasch Analysis.

    CPT® CodePercent Responding that CPT® 27279 is *Difficulty Score
    DescriptionEQUAL WorkLESS WorkMORE WorkDo Not Perform Comparative Procedure
    21556Excision, tumor, soft tissue of neck or anterior thorax, subfascial (e.g., intramuscular); less than 5 cm8.8%2.9%65%24%-3.77698
    21932Excision, tumor, soft tissue of back or flank, subfascial (e.g., intramuscular); less than 5 cm12%2.9%68%18%-3.85504
    22015Incision and drainage, open, of deep abscess (subfascial), posterior spine; lumbar, sacral, or lumbosacral2.9%2.9%91%2.9%-4.11477
    22100partial excision of posterior vertebral column (e.g. spinous process, lamina, facet) for intrinsic bony lesion, single vertebral segment, cervical18%24%50%8.8%-0.98816
    22101partial excision of posterior vertebral column (e.g. spinous process, lamina, facet) for intrinsic bony lesion, single vertebral segment, thoracic24%21%50%5.9%-1.03313
    22102partial excision of posterior vertebral column (e.g. spinous process, lamina, facet) for intrinsic bony lesion, single vertebral segment, lumbar24%21%50%5.9%-1.03313
    22315closed treatment of vertebral fracture and or dislocation requiring casting or bracing, with and including casting and or bracing by manipulation or traction5.9%2.9%88%2.9%-5.36145
    22510Percutaneous vertebroplasty (bone biopsy included when performed), 1 vertebral body, unilateral or bilateral injection, inclusive of all imaging guidance; cervicothoracic8.8%2.9%85%2.9%-3.35257
    22511Percutaneous vertebroplasty (bone biopsy included when performed), 1 vertebral body, unilateral or bilateral injection, inclusive of all imaging guidance; lumbosacral5.9%2.9%91%0%-4.11477
    22513Percutaneous vertebral augmentation, including cavity creation (fracture reduction and bone biopsy included when performed) using mechanical device (e.g., kyphoplasty), 1 vertebral body, unilateral or bilateral cannulation, inclusive of all imaging guidance; thoracic12%2.9%85%0%-3.38954
    22514Percutaneous vertebral augmentation, including cavity creation (fracture reduction and bone biopsy included when performed) using mechanical device (e.g., kyphoplasty), 1 vertebral body, unilateral or bilateral cannulation, inclusive of all imaging guidance; lumbar8.8%5.9%85%0%-2.50677
    22554Arthrodesis, anterior interbody technique, including minimal discectomy to prepare interspace (other than for decompression); cervical below C238%38%18%5.9%0.80289
    27048Excision, tumor, soft tissue of pelvis and hip area, subfascial (e.g., intramuscular); less than 5 cm5.9%8.8%53%32%-1.78938
    27050Arthrotomy, with biopsy; sacroiliac joint8.8%8.8%59%24%-2.71452
    27052Arthrotomy, with biopsy; hip joint5.9%12%44%38%-1.84758
    27216Percutaneous skeletal fixation of posterior pelvic bone fracture and/or dislocation, for fracture patterns that disrupt the pelvic ring, unilateral (includes ipsilateral ilium, sacroiliac joint, and/or sacrum21%35%35%-1.90267
    27235Percutaneous skeletal fixation of femoral fracture, proximal end, neck18%2.9%38%41%-1.63564
    27280Arthrodesis, sacroiliac joint (including obtaining graft), open21%50%18%12%1.60055
    62287Decompression procedure, percutaneous, of nucleus pulposus of intervertebral disc, any method utilizing needle based technique to remove disc material under fluoroscopic imaging or other form of indirect visualization, with the use of an endoscope, with discography and/or epidural injection(s) at the treated level(s), when performed, single or multiple levels, lumbar15%8.8%62%15%-2.30662
    62292Injection procedure for chemonucleosis, including discography, intervertebral disc, single or multiple levels, lumbar0%12%62%26%-2.32848
    63030Laminotomy (hemilaminectomy), with decompression of nerve root(s), including partial facetectomy, foraminotomy and/or excision of herniated intervertebral disc; 1 interspace, lumbar38%21%38%2.9%-0.67092
    63075Discectomy, anterior, with decompression of spinal cord and/or nerve root(s), including osteophytectomy, cervical, single interspace38%35%21%5.9%0.25978
    63620Stereotactic radiosurgery (particle beam, gamma ray, or linear accelerator), 1 spinal lesion2.9%8.8%21%68%-1.87111
    63650Percutaneous implantation of neurostimulator electrode array, epidural12%5.9%53%29%-2.60639
    63655Laminectomy for implantation of neurostimulator electrodes, plate/paddle, epidural18%15%44%14%-1.71518
    63662Removal of spinal neurostimulator electrode plate/paddle(s) placed via laminotomy or laminectomy, including fluoroscopy, when performed12%5.9%68%15%-3.33569
    63663Revision including replacement, when performed, of spinal neurostimulator electrode percutaneous array(s), including fluoroscopy, when performed15%21%44%21%-1.19609
    27279 Sacroiliac joint stabilization for arthrodesis, percutaneous or minimally invasive (indirect visualization), with image guidance including bone graft when performed, and placement of transfixing device (short descriptor: Arthrodesis, sacroiliac joint) NANANANA0.0000**
    • ↵* Among those responding to the item.

    • ↵** Assigned for comparative purposes.

    • View popup
    Table 6

    Results of the Time Component Regression Analysis.

    VariableCoefficient in Points per MinuteCoefficient in Points per HourP-value
    Constant (baseline point value)1.00 (not per minute)1.00 (not per hour)0.68 (NS)
    Pre-service evaluation.13908.34.04
    Intra-operative service.07044.22.02
    Office Visit.05703.42.03
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Paired Comparison Survey Analyses Utilizing Rasch Methodology of the Relative Difficulty and Estimated Work Relative Value Units of CPT® Code 27279
Morgan Lorio, Melissa Martinson, Lisa Ferrara
International Journal of Spine Surgery Jan 2016, 10 40; DOI: 10.14444/3040

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Paired Comparison Survey Analyses Utilizing Rasch Methodology of the Relative Difficulty and Estimated Work Relative Value Units of CPT® Code 27279
Morgan Lorio, Melissa Martinson, Lisa Ferrara
International Journal of Spine Surgery Jan 2016, 10 40; DOI: 10.14444/3040
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