Ask Dr. Z

The CPT Codebook states for percutaneous needle biopsy other than fine needle aspiration to use code 62267 for intervertebral disc. However, in your book (Dr. Z's book), it states to use an unlisted code for core biopsy of disc (64999). Am I confusing "aspiration biopsy" with "core biopsy"? How would you code the following report? "Fluoroscopy was used to localize the L1-L2 intervertebral disc space. An appropriate access site was selected on the skin. 1% lidocaine was used for local anesthesia. The trocar was advanced until the tip was at the margin of the intervertebral disc. The trocar tip was pushed slightly into the disc, and the core biopsy needle was advanced to the anterior margin of the disc space. Fluid and core material were aspirated. A second pass was made with the biopsy core needle. Some additional bloody and pulpy fluid was obtained. Needle was removed. Hemostasis was obtained with compression."