CPT 22551 · Other Procedure · Medicare (CGS MAC)
ACDF — Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion at Medicare (CGS MAC).
How Medicare (CGS MAC) approaches CPT 22551 (ACDF — Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion) for prior-authorization review: at last review on 2026-05-03, the policy covers this code with prior authorization required.
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Criteria summary
High-level themes from the Medicare (CGS MAC) policy of record for CPT 22551. Verbatim policy text and per-criterion analysis are available after sign-in.
- At least 6 weeks of conservative care typically required.
- Imaging concordance documentation required.
Source: CMS IOM 100-08 — Reasonable and Necessary; CGS J15 (no active LCD)
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