Neurology & Pain Management Coding Alert

Question: If the neurologist documents lumbosacral radiculopathy, how should I report this diagnosis?

Florida Subscriber

Answer:  

When your neurologist documents a diagnosis of lumbosacral radiculopathy, you should report M54.17 (Radiculopathy, lumbosacral region).

Tip: You will choose the appropriate code for radiculopathy depending upon the region of the spine involved. Your other radiculopathy choices include the following:

• M54.10 — Radiculopathy, site unspecified
• M54.11 — Radiculopathy, occipito-atlanto-axial region
• M54.12 — Radiculopathy, cervical region
• M54.13 — Radiculopathy, cervicothoracic region
• M54.14 — Radiculopathy, thoracic region
• M54.15 — Radiculopathy, thoracolumbar region
• M54.16 — Radiculopathy, lumbar region
• M54.17 — Radiculopathy, lumbosacral region
• M54.18 — Radiculopathy, sacral and sacrococcygeal region.