Neurology & Pain Management Coding Alert

Intent and modifiers help to recoup your payment.
Although apparently simple, the codes for spinal punctures may pose a difficult challenge if you aren't appending the correct modifiers. You may face a situation where your physician may document an unsuccessful attempt at the spinal puncture and you'll need to lean on modifiers to accurately report the procedure. A few simple tips can boost your spinal punctures claims success.
1. Identify the Intent
Your physician may perform a spinal puncture to either diagnose or treat the underlying condition. Accordingly, you will select from the following two codes: 62270 (Spinal puncture, lumbar, diagnostic) 62272 (Spinal puncture, therapeutic, for drainage of cerebrospinal fluid [by needle or catheter]). "Report code 62272 for therapeutic purposes when a patient needs to have a reduction in cerebral spinal fluid pressure," says Teresa Thomas, BBA, RHIT, CPC, practice manager II at St. [...]