The American Medical Association (AMA) released the Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) 2017 Codebook, now containing the first endoscopic spinal surgery code No. 62380. This new code covers endoscopic decompression of the spinal cord, nerve root(s), including laminotomy, partial facetectomy, foraminotomy, discectomy and/or excision of herniated intervertebral disc, 1 interspace, lumbar, and will be enforced as of January 1, 2017.
Under this code the specific transforaminal (TESSYS) and/or interlaminar (iLESSYS) procedures are fully covered in the U.S. herewith, which are already marketed by joimax in 45 countries.
“The definition of this new code in the CPT codebook 2017 is a major milestone towards the acceptance of endoscopic minimally invasive spine surgery techniques and its benefits to both the surgeon and their patients,” states Wolfgang Ries, founder and CEO of joimax. Since 2012 joimax had been driving this effort to obtain CPT codes as these procedures required submission to payors for reimbursement coverage which was granted only in single cases under temporary codes, so-called T-codes.
“joimax has been instrumental in driving the effort to obtain full code coverage of endoscopic spinal surgery,” says Daniel Laich, DO, Swedish Convenant Hospital, Chicago, who had been participating and presenting in almost every AMA meeting over the last five years. Due to the high research and publication activities by key users like Albert Telfeian, M.D., Ph.D., at Rhode Island Hospital at Brown University, and a group of users around him, strong evidence has been accepted by AMA authorities, justifying the release of this new CPT code.
Many papers and publications on joimax products can now be downloaded from the newly released joimax homepage. The completely redesigned website offers visitors richer insight into the company’s innovative products and systems. A quick and easy access to essential information and features is available, including the latest workshop and education activities, which are essential in endoscopic minimally-invasive spinal surgery.
Meanwhile joimax offers basic and advanced workshop training courses mainly in the U.S., Germany and Austria, and oversees a participation population of almost 3,000 physicians. Independent training courses are also performed in China and Korea to support the fast growing Asian markets. Detailed information about those courses are updated regularly at www.joimax.com.
About joimax
Founded in Karlsruhe, Germany, in 2001, joimax is the leading developer and marketer of complete systems for endoscopic minimally invasive spinal surgery. With TESSYS (transforaminal), iLESSYS (interlaminar) and CESSYS (cervical) for decompression procedures, Multiuse RT (e.g. for rhizotomy) or with EndoLIF and Percusys for minimally-invasive endoscopic assisted stabilizations, proven endoscopic systems are provided that, together, cover a variety of indications.
In procedures for herniated disc, stenosis, pain therapy or spinal stabilization treatment, surgeons utilize joimax technologies to operate through small incisions—under local or full anesthetic – via tissue and muscle-sparing corridors through natural openings into the spinal canal (e.g. intervertebral foramen, the “Kambin triangle”).
