Neurology & Pain Management Coding Alert

What is it: Avonex is the brand name of the drug form of Interferon beta-1a, which is used to treat multiple sclerosis (MS). Multiple sclerosis is a disease characterized by inflammation and destruction of the myelin inthe central nervous system (brain and spinal cord).

What myelin does: Myelin plays an important role in the movement of electric signals to and from nerves, which in turn controls all the important functions of the body.

What happens: Disruption of the nerve signals' pathway causes neurologic deficits in the patient manifested by varied symptoms depending on the site affected in the brain.