Neurology & Pain Management Coding Alert

Question: I overheard a coworker discussing facial nerve monitoring testing for patients with Bell's palsy. How should I report it?

Louisiana Subscriber

Answer: Bell's palsy (351.0) is a temporary facial paralysis -- a result of damage to one of the two facial nerves. Bell's palsy usually affects only one of the facial nerves and one side of the patient's face.

Each facial nerve controls all muscles on one side of your face, except for muscles involved in chewing. The cause of Bell's palsy is still unclear, and its development isn't well understood.

Many scientists believe, however, that a viral infection, such as viral meningitis or herpes simplex, can cause Bell's palsy when the facial nerve swells and becomes inflamed as a reaction to the infection.

Impairment of electrical impulses directed to the patient's facial muscles by the damaged nerve results in the weakness or paralysis of these muscles.

As for the facial nerve monitoring, your physician might perform this test primarily to diagnose Bell's palsy and other facial paralysis disorders. When your neurologist performs this procedure, report 92516 (Facial nerve function studies [e.g., electroneuronography]).