Neurology & Pain Management Coding Alert
Understanding Facet Joint Structure
Pay attention to nerves to correctly count joints. Each vertebra has a total of four facet joints -- two joints that articulate with the vertebra above and two that articulate with the vertebra below. For example, the C5 vertebra has a right and left facet joint that articulates with the C4 vertebra above. The C5 vertebra also has a right and left facet joint that articulates with the C6 vertebra below. Two paravertebral facet joint nerves (medial branches) provide the sensory innervation for each facet joint. For example, the C4 and C5 medial branches provide the sensory innervation from the C4-C5 facet joint back to the spinal cord. The provider could potentially treat either one or two joints at the same level. Because of this, the previous codes with descriptors focusing on vertebral levels didn't adequately reflect the work performed. Codes 64633-64636 more accurately describe the situation by focusing on joints instead of nerves.
Neurology & Pain Management Coding Alert
- Coding Strategies:
Strengthen Your Skills To Bill E/M With Osteopathic Manipulation
Append modifier 25 only in cases where necessary.Billing for osteopathic manipulation can throw you a [...] - Pain Management:
Avoid Denials by Correctly Counting Injections for Spinal Radiofrequency
Plus: Verify how each payer wants bilateral procedures reported. Reporting spinal radiofrequency (RF) changed in [...] - Understanding Facet Joint Structure
Pay attention to nerves to correctly count joints.Each vertebra has a total of four facet [...] - ICD-10 Update:
Equip Yourself With ICD-10 Codes To Report Hydrocephalus
Look for accompanying conditions with spine bifida, reasons for congenital hydrocephalus.When ICD-10 is implemented, you [...] - You Be the Coder:
Focus on the Right Number in Botulinum Toxin Coding
Question: Our physician is using Botulinum toxin to treat torticollis by injecting in multiple muscles. [...] - Reader Question:
Bill the SNF for Office Tests
Question: When our doctor orders a SNF (skilled nursing facility) patient to have diagnostic tests [...] - Reader Question:
Choose 36415 When Nurse Draws Blood
Question: Can our nurses bill the insurance companies for a blood draw in the office [...] - Reader Question:
Each Unit of 95904 per Nerve Tested Can Add to Payment
Question: Our provider performed 95904 (Nerve conduction, amplitude and latency/velocity study, each nerve; sensory) on [...] - Reader Question:
Type of Guidance Determines 64483 or 02030T
Question: We submitted 64483 and 99144 for procedures during the same patient encounter, but insurance [...] - Reader Question:
Learn Whether Payer Wants -50 or Double 64640
Question: Our pain management specialist administered a phenol injection and performed radiofrequency on the ilioinguinal [...]
