Anesthesia Coding Alert

Question: Our anesthesiologist indicated on the charge ticket that he monitored the motor evoked potentials (MEP) testing during surgery. Can you explain the proper use of +95920? Maine Subscriber Answer: Code +95920 (Intraoperative neurophysiology testing, per hour [List separately in addition to code for primary procedure]) is an add-on code, and you can bill it only with one of the listed primary or "parent" codes. The parent codes for motor evoked potential studies include 95928 (Central motor evoked potential study [transcranial motor stimulation]; upper limbs) and 95929 (... lower limbs). These are billed for the performance and interpretation of the baseline diagnostic study(ies). Each baseline study performed requires a documented interpretation report from the physician who performed the actual interpretation and monitoring. Heads up: In most cases in addition to the intra-op monitoring technician in the operating room, there is aneurologist or physiatrist providing the professional component of the initial [...]