CPT code 22515 identifies a percutaneous vertebral augmentation procedure performed on each additional thoracic or lumbar vertebral body during the same session as the initial augmentation. This code documents repeat vertebral augmentation techniques such as kyphoplasty performed under imaging guidance to treat compression fractures, and it can encompass fracture reduction and bone biopsy when done for diagnostic purposes. Nationally, this code matters because vertebral augmentation is commonly used to relieve pain, restore vertebral height, and stabilize osteoporotic and traumatic compression fractures; accurate coding affects clinical documentation, hospital and ambulatory surgery billing, and coverage determinations.

Key payers covered in this analysis include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find a concise overview of the clinical context for 22515, typical settings where the service is delivered, and the kinds of documentation and service lines that align with this code. The publication summarizes common modifiers associated with the code and highlights typical sites of service and service type. It also outlines what to expect in payer coverage review and benchmarking context when hospitals and ambulatory surgical centers submit claims for additional vertebral levels during the same operative session.

This summary is aimed at revenue cycle leaders, coding professionals, and clinical managers who need a national-level reference for the clinical meaning of CPT code 22515, how it is used in multi-level vertebral augmentation cases, and where to look for policy and billing guidance.