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Anesthesia Coding Alert

Check That You Report the Right Neurostimulator

Published on Wed Jul 01, 2009

Different types of neurostimulators are available, but as a pain management coder, you'll probably see peripheral nerve stimulators most often. If your provider inserts a cranial nerve stimulator, it's typically to treat the trigeminal nerve (cranial nerve V) for conditions associated with trigeminal neuralgia (350.1), says Marvel J. Hammer, RN, CPC, CCS-P, PCS, ACSPM, CHCO, owner of MJH Consulting in Denver. Double check that the physician implants a dorsal column, permanently implanted stimulator before coding  the procedure. There are other types of stimulation treatments, so be sure you're not coding for one of the other therapies by mistake.
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