Find policies, billing codes, payers, states, and providers

CPT 22551: Anterior Cervical Discectomy with Interbody Fusion

CPT code 22551 represents an anterior cervical discectomy with interbody fusion, a surgical procedure that removes a cervical disc via an anterior neck approach and stabilizes the spine through fusion. This code is nationally relevant due to the prevalence of cervical degenerative disease, trauma, infection, and neoplasm indications that may necessitate surgical decompression and stabilization. Payers commonly evaluating claims for this service include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, United Healthcare, and Medicare.

Readers will find clinical context for the procedure, common diagnoses that justify its use, and the typical care settings in which the service is delivered. The publication provides benchmarks and references to related surgical and implant codes for coding and billing alignment. It also summarizes payer coverage patterns and administrative considerations that affect authorization, claim submission, and reimbursement pathways. The material is intended to support coding accuracy and administrative clarity for hospitals, ambulatory surgery centers, and spine specialists handling anterior cervical fusion procedures. Data not available in the input will be identified where applicable.

Customize your policy alerts

Sign up for cpt 22551 policy alerts

Get alerted when payer policies referencing 22551 are released or updated.

Monitor payer policy activity

Receive email alerts as soon as relevant payer policies are published or updated.

Billing Code Overview

CPT code 22551 describes an anterior cervical discectomy with interbody fusion: a cervical disc is removed through an incision in the front of the neck to relieve spinal pain and neurologic symptoms, and fusion is performed to stabilize the affected vertebral segment(s).

Service type: Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF), surgical spinal procedure
Typical site of service: Inpatient or outpatient hospital setting or ambulatory surgery center where spine surgery is performed

National Reimbursement Benchmarks

Commercial averages sit well above Medicare for CPT 22551: Blue Cross Blue Shield and BUCA averages are notably higher than Medicare’s mean of $1,612.40, with BUCA’s mean at $4,895.00 and Blue Cross Blue Shield’s mean at $6,502.10, reflecting a substantial gap between federal reimbursement and typical commercial contracts. Other commercial payers—Aetna ($2,312.50), Cigna ($2,852.90) and UnitedHealth Group ($3,091.50)—cluster between Medicare and the highest commercial means, illustrating a broad spread of negotiated levels across the market.

Dispersion (P75 minus P25) highlights variability in commercial contracting: Blue Cross Blue Shield shows the widest interquartile spread at $6,829.80 ($9,347.20 - $2,518.20), while Aetna is among the tightest with a spread of $1,317.70 ($2,870.90 - $1,553.20). UnitedHealth Group ($1,797.50 spread) and Cigna ($1,888.80 spread) sit between those extremes. BUCA’s interquartile spread is $4,617.10 ($6,813.90 - $2,196.80), indicating substantial variability in its commercial average as well.

Explore openpayer tools

View all tools

Find policies, billing codes, payers, states, and providers

CPT 22551: Anterior Cervical Discectomy with Interbody Fusion

Customize your policy alerts

Sign up for cpt 22551 policy alerts

Get alerted when payer policies referencing 22551 are released or updated.

Monitor payer policy activity

Receive email alerts as soon as relevant payer policies are published or updated.

Billing Code Overview

Service type: Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF), surgical spinal procedure
Typical site of service: Inpatient or outpatient hospital setting or ambulatory surgery center where spine surgery is performed

National Reimbursement Benchmarks

National Payer Mean Reimbursement Rates

Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

A 58-year-old patient presents with progressive cervical radiculopathy and neck pain refractory to 6–12 weeks of conservative care (physical therapy, oral analgesics, and epidural steroid injection). Imaging (MRI and CT) demonstrates a symptomatic herniated cervical disc at C5–C6 with significant foraminal narrowing and degenerative disc disease causing nerve root compression. The treating spine surgeon (orthopaedic spine or neurosurgeon) recommends an anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) at the affected level to remove the offending disc and decompress neural elements, followed by interbody fusion to stabilize the segment.

The clinical workflow includes preoperative evaluation with history, neurologic exam, and imaging review; informed consent addressing risks and benefits; preauthorization and verification of benefits with payors; operative procedure performed in an ambulatory surgery center or hospital operating room under general anesthesia; use of interbody device and possible anterior cervical plating or instrumentation; intraoperative neuromonitoring as indicated; postoperative recovery with pain control, wound care instructions, and a short inpatient stay or same-day discharge based on patient status. Follow-up occurs in clinic for wound check, neurologic assessment, and imaging to evaluate fusion progression.

Coding Specifications

Modifier	Description	When to Use
`25`	Significant, separately identifiable E/M service by the same physician on the day of a procedure	Use when a distinct preoperative or postoperative evaluation meets E/M criteria on the day of ACDF.
`50`	Bilateral procedure	Use if documentation supports simultaneous bilateral cervical procedures (rare for single-level ACDF).
`51`	Multiple procedures	Apply when additional unrelated CPT procedures are performed the same session (e.g., supplemental procedures billed separately).
`52`	Reduced services	Use when the ACDF is partially reduced or not completed as originally planned and documentation supports reduction.
`53`	Discontinued procedure	Apply if the procedure is terminated due to extenuating circumstances after anesthesia induction.
`59`	Distinct procedural service	Use to indicate a separate and distinct procedure or service not normally reported together with ACDF when supported by documentation.
`62`	Two surgeons	Use when two surgeons of different specialties work together as primary surgeons performing distinct portions of the ACDF.
`66`	Surgical team approach	Use when a surgical team with defined roles performs portions of the ACDF under a team model.
`76`	Repeat procedure or service by same physician	Use if the identical procedure is repeated by the same surgeon within the global period (less common).
`77`	Repeat procedure or service by another physician	Use if another surgeon repeats the procedure within the global period.
`78`	Unplanned return to the operating room for a related procedure during the postoperative period	Use for a related reoperation after the initial ACDF during the global period.
`79`	Unrelated procedure or service during the postoperative period	Use when an unrelated procedure is performed during the global period for a condition not related to the ACDF.
`80`	Assistant surgeon	Use when an assistant surgeon performs part of the ACDF and documentation supports assistant participation.
`AS`	Physician service: assistant at surgery (Medicare)	Use when Medicare recognizes the documented assistant surgeon role during ACDF.

Taxonomy Code	Specialty	Notes
`207XS0117X`	Orthopaedic Surgery of the Spine	Common specialty performing ACDF; provides anterior cervical fusion and instrumentation expertise.
`207T00000X`	Neurological Surgery	Neurosurgeons commonly perform cervical decompression and fusion; skilled in nerve root and spinal cord management.
`207XS0106X`	Orthopaedic Surgery	General orthopaedic surgeons with spine focus may perform ACDF; often part of multidisciplinary spine programs.

Related Diagnoses

ICD-10 Code	Description	Clinical Relevance
`C41.2`	Malignant neoplasm of vertebral column	Tumor involvement may necessitate anterior decompression and stabilization when the cervical vertebrae or disc space are affected.
`G06.1`	Intraspinal abscess and granuloma	Infectious processes causing cord or nerve compression can require debridement and stabilization via anterior approach.
`M06.88`	Other specified rheumatoid arthritis, vertebrae	Inflammatory arthropathy causing cervical instability or subluxation may be addressed with anterior fusion.
`M40.03`	Postural kyphosis, cervicothoracic region	Deformity extending into the cervical region may require anterior fusion as part of deformity correction.
`M40.12`	Other secondary kyphosis, cervical region	Secondary kyphotic deformities affecting the cervical spine can be treated with anterior discectomy and fusion for correction and stabilization.
`M40.202`	Unspecified kyphosis, cervical region	Unspecified kyphosis with symptomatic neural compromise may be an indication for ACDF.
`M40.292`	Other kyphosis, cervical region	Kyphotic changes contributing to neural compression are clinically relevant to anterior decompression and fusion.
`M41.22`	Other idiopathic scoliosis, cervical region	Cervical scoliosis with symptomatic disc disease or instability may be managed with ACDF as part of corrective strategy.
`M43.12`	Spondylolisthesis, cervical region	Vertebral slippage causing foraminal stenosis and nerve root impingement is treated with discectomy and fusion to restore alignment.
`M43.13`	Spondylolisthesis, cervicothoracic region	Spondylolisthesis across the cervicothoracic junction may require anterior fusion for stabilization.
`M46.21`	Osteomyelitis of vertebra, occipito‑atlanto‑axial region	Vertebral osteomyelitis with instability or abscess may require debridement and fusion via anterior approach.
`M46.22`	Osteomyelitis of vertebra, cervical region	Cervical vertebral infection with structural compromise can necessitate ACDF for infection control and stabilization.
`M46.23`	Osteomyelitis of vertebra, cervicothoracic region	Infection in this region impacting stability may be treated with anterior debridement and fusion.
`M46.31`	Infection of intervertebral disc (pyogenic), occipito‑atlanto‑axial region	Discitis with neural compromise can be an indication for discectomy and anterior fusion after infection management.
`M46.32`	Infection of intervertebral disc (pyogenic), cervical region	Cervical disc infection leading to instability or persistent pain may require ACDF.
`M46.33`	Infection of intervertebral disc (pyogenic), cervicothoracic region	Disc infection across the junction may be managed with anterior debridement and fusion.
`M46.41`	Discitis, unspecified, occipito‑atlanto‑axial region	Unspecified discitis causing structural compromise may lead to anterior fusion.
`M46.42`	Discitis, unspecified, cervical region	Cervical discitis with instability or failed conservative therapy can necessitate ACDF.
`M46.43`	Discitis, unspecified, cervicothoracic region	Discitis in this region with instability may be addressed with anterior fusion.
`M46.51`	Other infective spondylopathies, occipito‑atlanto‑axial region	Infective spondylopathy with structural loss may require debridement and stabilization.
`M48.01`	Spinal stenosis, occipito‑atlanto‑axial region	Central canal stenosis at upper cervical levels may be managed surgically with decompression and fusion when indicated.
`M48.02`	Spinal stenosis, cervical region	Cervical spinal stenosis causing myelopathy or radiculopathy is a common indication for ACDF.
`M48.03`	Spinal stenosis, cervicothoracic region	Stenosis across the junction may be treated with anterior decompression and fusion.
`M48.31`	Traumatic spondylopathy, occipito‑atlanto‑axial region	Traumatic injury producing instability can require ACDF for stabilization.
`M48.32`	Traumatic spondylopathy, cervical region	Traumatic cervical instability often necessitates anterior fusion.
`M48.33`	Traumatic spondylopathy, cervicothoracic region	Traumatic lesions at the junction may be managed with anterior fusion.
`M48.42XA`	Fatigue fracture of vertebra, cervical region, initial encounter for fracture	Stress fracture with symptomatic instability may lead to surgical fusion.
`M48.42XD`	Fatigue fracture of vertebra, cervical region, subsequent encounter for fracture with routine healing	Follow-up coding for postoperative encounters after treatment including ACDF.
`M48.42XG`	Fatigue fracture of vertebra, cervical region, subsequent encounter for fracture with delayed healing	Used for subsequent encounters when healing is delayed after surgical stabilization.

Related CPT Codes

CPT Code	Description	Relationship to This Procedure
`22554`	Arthrodesis, anterior interbody technique, including minimal discectomy to prepare interspace; lumbar	Related anterior interbody fusion technique code for lumbar spine; analogous in concept to cervical interbody fusion and used for cross-reference of coding technique distinctions.
`22845`	Anterior instrumentation; 2 to 3 vertebral segments	Used when anterior cervical plating/instrumentation spans multiple segments in addition to the interbody fusion performed with the ACDF.
`22853`	Insertion of interbody biomechanical device(s)	Used when an interbody cage, spacer, or biomechanical device is placed as part of the ACDF to achieve fusion.
`20930`	Allograft, morselized, or placement of osteopromotive material, for spine surgery only	Billed when allograft bone or osteoinductive/osteoconductive material is placed in the interbody space during ACDF to promote fusion.

CPT 22548: Cervical Spine Arthrodesis (Anterior/Transoral)

CPT-22552-ANTERIOR-CERVICAL-ARTHRODESIS-ADDITIONAL-LEVEL

CPT 22552: Anterior Cervical Arthrodesis, Additional Level

CPT-22554-ANTERIOR-CERVICAL-SPINAL-FUSION

CPT 22554: Anterior Cervical Spinal Fusion

CPT-22556-THORACIC-SPINAL-FUSION-LATERAL-TRANSTHORACIC

CPT 22556: Thoracic Spinal Fusion via Lateral Transthoracic Approach

CPT-22558-ANTERIOR-LUMBAR-SPINAL-FUSION

CPT 22558: Anterior Lumbar Spinal Fusion

CPT-22585-SPINAL-FUSION-ADDITIONAL-VERTEBRAL-SEGMENT

CPT 22585: Spinal Fusion, Additional Vertebral Segment

CPT-22586-PRESACRAL-INTERBODY-SPINAL-FUSION-LOWER-LUMBAR

CPT 22586: Presacral Interbody Spinal Fusion for Lower Lumbar Disc Herniation

References

1.CPT® Codes and Descriptions. AAPC. Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.Maintains the CPT code set's official descriptions and guidelines, licensed from the American Medical Association, used as the definitional source for CPT codes on this page.
2.HCPCS Quarterly Update. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.CMS's quarterly release of HCPCS Level II codes and short/long descriptors, the source for HCPCS code definitions and update history.
3.ICD-10-CM Full Code List. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.CMS's complete ICD-10-CM diagnosis code list, used to cross-reference diagnosis codes associated with this procedure or service.

Published by

Trek Health powers OpenPayer with a leading commercial payer intelligence platform, seamlessly converting fragmented payer data into actionable insights for provider organizations.

Trek Health ingests and normalizes Transparency in Coverage data and payer policy updates to give provider organizations a clear view of how commercial reimbursement behaves across markets, payers, and services. Our platform transforms raw payer disclosures into structured intelligence that supports contract evaluation, payer negotiations, and service line strategy. By combining market benchmarks with ongoing policy visibility, Trek helps teams identify variability, risk, and opportunity in commercial reimbursement. The result is faster insight, stronger negotiating positions, and more informed financial decisions.

Explore openpayer tools

View all tools

Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

Coding Specifications

Modifier	Description	When to Use
`25`	Significant, separately identifiable E/M service by the same physician on the day of a procedure	Use when a distinct preoperative or postoperative evaluation meets E/M criteria on the day of ACDF.
`50`	Bilateral procedure	Use if documentation supports simultaneous bilateral cervical procedures (rare for single-level ACDF).
`51`	Multiple procedures	Apply when additional unrelated CPT procedures are performed the same session (e.g., supplemental procedures billed separately).
`52`	Reduced services	Use when the ACDF is partially reduced or not completed as originally planned and documentation supports reduction.
`53`	Discontinued procedure	Apply if the procedure is terminated due to extenuating circumstances after anesthesia induction.
`59`	Distinct procedural service	Use to indicate a separate and distinct procedure or service not normally reported together with ACDF when supported by documentation.
`62`	Two surgeons	Use when two surgeons of different specialties work together as primary surgeons performing distinct portions of the ACDF.
`66`	Surgical team approach	Use when a surgical team with defined roles performs portions of the ACDF under a team model.
`76`	Repeat procedure or service by same physician	Use if the identical procedure is repeated by the same surgeon within the global period (less common).
`77`	Repeat procedure or service by another physician	Use if another surgeon repeats the procedure within the global period.
`78`	Unplanned return to the operating room for a related procedure during the postoperative period	Use for a related reoperation after the initial ACDF during the global period.
`79`	Unrelated procedure or service during the postoperative period	Use when an unrelated procedure is performed during the global period for a condition not related to the ACDF.
`80`	Assistant surgeon	Use when an assistant surgeon performs part of the ACDF and documentation supports assistant participation.
`AS`	Physician service: assistant at surgery (Medicare)	Use when Medicare recognizes the documented assistant surgeon role during ACDF.

Taxonomy Code	Specialty	Notes
`207XS0117X`	Orthopaedic Surgery of the Spine	Common specialty performing ACDF; provides anterior cervical fusion and instrumentation expertise.
`207T00000X`	Neurological Surgery	Neurosurgeons commonly perform cervical decompression and fusion; skilled in nerve root and spinal cord management.
`207XS0106X`	Orthopaedic Surgery	General orthopaedic surgeons with spine focus may perform ACDF; often part of multidisciplinary spine programs.

Related Diagnoses

ICD-10 Code	Description	Clinical Relevance
`C41.2`	Malignant neoplasm of vertebral column	Tumor involvement may necessitate anterior decompression and stabilization when the cervical vertebrae or disc space are affected.
`G06.1`	Intraspinal abscess and granuloma	Infectious processes causing cord or nerve compression can require debridement and stabilization via anterior approach.
`M06.88`	Other specified rheumatoid arthritis, vertebrae	Inflammatory arthropathy causing cervical instability or subluxation may be addressed with anterior fusion.
`M40.03`	Postural kyphosis, cervicothoracic region	Deformity extending into the cervical region may require anterior fusion as part of deformity correction.
`M40.12`	Other secondary kyphosis, cervical region	Secondary kyphotic deformities affecting the cervical spine can be treated with anterior discectomy and fusion for correction and stabilization.
`M40.202`	Unspecified kyphosis, cervical region	Unspecified kyphosis with symptomatic neural compromise may be an indication for ACDF.
`M40.292`	Other kyphosis, cervical region	Kyphotic changes contributing to neural compression are clinically relevant to anterior decompression and fusion.
`M41.22`	Other idiopathic scoliosis, cervical region	Cervical scoliosis with symptomatic disc disease or instability may be managed with ACDF as part of corrective strategy.
`M43.12`	Spondylolisthesis, cervical region	Vertebral slippage causing foraminal stenosis and nerve root impingement is treated with discectomy and fusion to restore alignment.
`M43.13`	Spondylolisthesis, cervicothoracic region	Spondylolisthesis across the cervicothoracic junction may require anterior fusion for stabilization.
`M46.21`	Osteomyelitis of vertebra, occipito‑atlanto‑axial region	Vertebral osteomyelitis with instability or abscess may require debridement and fusion via anterior approach.
`M46.22`	Osteomyelitis of vertebra, cervical region	Cervical vertebral infection with structural compromise can necessitate ACDF for infection control and stabilization.
`M46.23`	Osteomyelitis of vertebra, cervicothoracic region	Infection in this region impacting stability may be treated with anterior debridement and fusion.
`M46.31`	Infection of intervertebral disc (pyogenic), occipito‑atlanto‑axial region	Discitis with neural compromise can be an indication for discectomy and anterior fusion after infection management.
`M46.32`	Infection of intervertebral disc (pyogenic), cervical region	Cervical disc infection leading to instability or persistent pain may require ACDF.
`M46.33`	Infection of intervertebral disc (pyogenic), cervicothoracic region	Disc infection across the junction may be managed with anterior debridement and fusion.
`M46.41`	Discitis, unspecified, occipito‑atlanto‑axial region	Unspecified discitis causing structural compromise may lead to anterior fusion.
`M46.42`	Discitis, unspecified, cervical region	Cervical discitis with instability or failed conservative therapy can necessitate ACDF.
`M46.43`	Discitis, unspecified, cervicothoracic region	Discitis in this region with instability may be addressed with anterior fusion.
`M46.51`	Other infective spondylopathies, occipito‑atlanto‑axial region	Infective spondylopathy with structural loss may require debridement and stabilization.
`M48.01`	Spinal stenosis, occipito‑atlanto‑axial region	Central canal stenosis at upper cervical levels may be managed surgically with decompression and fusion when indicated.
`M48.02`	Spinal stenosis, cervical region	Cervical spinal stenosis causing myelopathy or radiculopathy is a common indication for ACDF.
`M48.03`	Spinal stenosis, cervicothoracic region	Stenosis across the junction may be treated with anterior decompression and fusion.
`M48.31`	Traumatic spondylopathy, occipito‑atlanto‑axial region	Traumatic injury producing instability can require ACDF for stabilization.
`M48.32`	Traumatic spondylopathy, cervical region	Traumatic cervical instability often necessitates anterior fusion.
`M48.33`	Traumatic spondylopathy, cervicothoracic region	Traumatic lesions at the junction may be managed with anterior fusion.
`M48.42XA`	Fatigue fracture of vertebra, cervical region, initial encounter for fracture	Stress fracture with symptomatic instability may lead to surgical fusion.
`M48.42XD`	Fatigue fracture of vertebra, cervical region, subsequent encounter for fracture with routine healing	Follow-up coding for postoperative encounters after treatment including ACDF.
`M48.42XG`	Fatigue fracture of vertebra, cervical region, subsequent encounter for fracture with delayed healing	Used for subsequent encounters when healing is delayed after surgical stabilization.

Related CPT Codes

CPT Code	Description	Relationship to This Procedure
`22554`	Arthrodesis, anterior interbody technique, including minimal discectomy to prepare interspace; lumbar	Related anterior interbody fusion technique code for lumbar spine; analogous in concept to cervical interbody fusion and used for cross-reference of coding technique distinctions.
`22845`	Anterior instrumentation; 2 to 3 vertebral segments	Used when anterior cervical plating/instrumentation spans multiple segments in addition to the interbody fusion performed with the ACDF.
`22853`	Insertion of interbody biomechanical device(s)	Used when an interbody cage, spacer, or biomechanical device is placed as part of the ACDF to achieve fusion.
`20930`	Allograft, morselized, or placement of osteopromotive material, for spine surgery only	Billed when allograft bone or osteoinductive/osteoconductive material is placed in the interbody space during ACDF to promote fusion.

CPT 22548: Cervical Spine Arthrodesis (Anterior/Transoral)

CPT-22552-ANTERIOR-CERVICAL-ARTHRODESIS-ADDITIONAL-LEVEL

CPT 22552: Anterior Cervical Arthrodesis, Additional Level

CPT-22554-ANTERIOR-CERVICAL-SPINAL-FUSION

CPT 22554: Anterior Cervical Spinal Fusion

CPT-22556-THORACIC-SPINAL-FUSION-LATERAL-TRANSTHORACIC

CPT 22556: Thoracic Spinal Fusion via Lateral Transthoracic Approach

CPT-22558-ANTERIOR-LUMBAR-SPINAL-FUSION

CPT 22558: Anterior Lumbar Spinal Fusion

CPT-22585-SPINAL-FUSION-ADDITIONAL-VERTEBRAL-SEGMENT

CPT 22585: Spinal Fusion, Additional Vertebral Segment

CPT-22586-PRESACRAL-INTERBODY-SPINAL-FUSION-LOWER-LUMBAR

CPT 22586: Presacral Interbody Spinal Fusion for Lower Lumbar Disc Herniation

References

1.CPT® Codes and Descriptions. AAPC. Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.Maintains the CPT code set's official descriptions and guidelines, licensed from the American Medical Association, used as the definitional source for CPT codes on this page.
2.HCPCS Quarterly Update. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.CMS's quarterly release of HCPCS Level II codes and short/long descriptors, the source for HCPCS code definitions and update history.
3.ICD-10-CM Full Code List. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.CMS's complete ICD-10-CM diagnosis code list, used to cross-reference diagnosis codes associated with this procedure or service.

Published by

Trek Health powers OpenPayer with a leading commercial payer intelligence platform, seamlessly converting fragmented payer data into actionable insights for provider organizations.

OpenPayer

CPT 22551: Anterior Cervical Discectomy with Interbody Fusion

Sign up for cpt 22551 policy alerts

Billing Code Overview

National Reimbursement Benchmarks

OpenPayer

CPT 22551: Anterior Cervical Discectomy with Interbody Fusion

Sign up for cpt 22551 policy alerts

Billing Code Overview

National Reimbursement Benchmarks

Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

Coding Specifications

Related Diagnoses

Related CPT Codes

Related Codes

References

Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

Coding Specifications

Related Diagnoses

Related CPT Codes

Related Codes

References