Neurology & Pain Management Coding Alert

Hint: Stay away from reporting one service, even with thorough documentation.When your pain management specialist provides postoperative care for a patient, ensure payment by having every step of the process documented. Our experts share their best advice on post-op pain management coding, from surgical request to final chart. 1. Get the Request in WritingThe Correct Coding Initiative's (CCI's) guidance indicates that routine postoperative pain management services are included in the global surgical fee and cannot be reported by an anesthesiologist or pain management specialist "unless separate, medically necessary services are required that cannot be rendered by the surgeon." Example: The surgeon anticipates that the patient's post-op pain measures will need to be more extensive than usual. The surgeon should request in writing that the pain specialist provide management services. That documentation indicates that the pain management care is separate from anesthesia used during the surgical procedure. 2. Support the Service [...]