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Neurosurgery Coding Alert

CPT® Coding:
Enhance your Myelography Coding Skills with these 2 Examples
Work out these real-world coding scenarios to master myelographies once and for all. Last... Read more
NCCI:
Source NCCI Policy Manual for Lesion Removals
Avoid these mistakes, stay compliant with CMS guidelines. Occasionally, neurosurgeons wil... Read more
Compliance:
Stay on Top of these New ABN Changes
Integrate these new revisions for all of your ABN encounters. The Centers for Medicare an... Read more
Reader Question:
Use Separate Codes for Laminectomy, Stabilization Device
Question: I am coding a patient with severe lumbar spinal stenosis of the L3-L4 and L4-L5 ... Read more
Reader Question:
Code Underlying Condition as Principal Dx
Question: A patient presents for a visit two months following a vertebroplasty procedure f... Read more
Reader Question:
Carefully Consider Dx for Hematomas with No Known Trauma
Question: How do I code a hematoma of the supraspinatus? Florida Subscriber Answer: Defi... Read more
You Be the Coder:
Use 2017 Procedural Codes for Interlaminar Epidural Blocks
Question: A patient received an interlaminar epidural block of the lumbar spine with fluor... Read more
NCCI Edits:
Familiarize Yourself with NCCI Sequential Procedures Policy
Rely on operative report and diagnoses to determine coding process. Those with a firm gra... Read more
ICD-10 Coding:
I.D. Appropriate ICD-10 Guidelines for these Scenarios
Fall back on your coding manual's guidelines when the going gets tough. No coder is expec... Read more
CPT® Coding:
Simply the Myelography Coding Process with these Tips
Know these keys to deciphering myelography dictation reports. If your neurosurgery practi... Read more
Reader Question:
Coding Hematomas with No Known Trauma
Question: How do I code a hematoma of the gluteus medius? Florida Subscriber Answer: Def... Read more
Reader Question:
Include Appropriate Documentation, Justification with Modifier 22
Question: We submitted a claim with modifier 22 because the surgeon spent an extra 50 minu... Read more
You Be the Coder:
Billing Related E/M within 90-Day Global
Question: A patient presents for an evaluation and management (E/M) visit two weeks follow... Read more
CPT® Training:
Prep Now for New 2018 CPT® Codes
Rely on this comprehensive list of all new neurosurgery CPT® changes. If you're an exper... Read more
Preventive Measures:
Consider These Rules on Coding Obesity Screening, Counseling Measures
Know which circumstances might warrant the use of this preventive measure. Neurosurgeons,... Read more
Modifiers:
Focus on Date of Surgery, Procedure Type with Modifier 57
Identify all the key components for proper use of modifier 57. Sometimes, a physician may... Read more
Reader Question:
Know All Components Necessary to Reach Extended HPI
Question: The patient complains of a shooting pain down their cervical spine for the ... Read more
Reader Question:
Determine Appropriate Use of Technical, Professional Components
Question: Sometimes our provider will perform a computerized tomography (CT) lumbar s... Read more
Reader Question:
Refer to Appendix P for Telemedicine Codes
Question: How do I know which E/M codes are eligible for use as telemedicine codes? ... Read more
You Be the Coder:
Use 64455 for a Morton's Neuroma Injection
Question: The provider performed a steroid injection on a patient with a Morton's neu... Read more
ICD-10 Training:
Master the Art of CNS Neoplasm Diagnosis Coding
Utilize these two examples to boost your diagnostic coding skills. Coding neoplasms of th... Read more
Modifiers:
Refrain from Use of 52 on Thoracic Hemilaminectomies
Follow these steps to properly code for thoracic hemilaminectomies. If you or your provid... Read more
CPT® Coding:
Factor in Threshold with Corpectomy Coding
Know what percentage of vertebral removal is necessary to reach corpectomy codes. When a ... Read more
Reader Question:
Mark HPI and ROS as Complete when Patient Cannot Comply
Question: The surgeon calls in for a consult at the hospital. The patient arrives int... Read more
Reader Question:
Do Not Use Aftercare Codes When a 7th Character Applies
Question: The surgeon performs an open reduction on a patient with an unstable closed... Read more
Reader Question:
Make No Assumptions Coding Fluid Collections of the Spine
Question: I have a patient status post-laminectomy. The provider states that there is... Read more
You Be the Coder:
Use Separate Codes for Cranioplasties with Autograft and Allograft
Question: What is the CPT® code for a cranioplasty for a craniotomy defect with a... Read more
ICD-10:
Look Out for these New and Revised Neurosurgery Codes in 2018
Begin preparations now to hit the ground running in October. Oct. 2017, will bring about ... Read more
Compliance:
Know When and How to Issue ABNs for Medicare Beneficiaries
Use medical necessity, denial history as a gauge on issuing ABNs. Depending on your degre... Read more
FAQs:
Heed these ABN FAQs for Coding Success
Remember G modifiers on ABN claims. If you’re having trouble keeping all of the rul... Read more
ICD-10 Coding:
Streamline the Billing Process, Cross-Reference Diagnosis and Procedural Codes
Know beforehand which codes might not get paid. Hindsight is always 20-20 when it comes t... Read more
Reader Question:
Establish Global Period Before Deciding Between 63020, 63040
Question: How would I code a reexploration of a bilateral hemilaminectomy at C1-C2? I... Read more
Reader Question:
Make No Assumptions Coding Fluid Collections of the Spine
Question: I have a patient status post-laminectomy. The provider states that there is... Read more
You Be the Coder:
Apply Modifier 51 Only when Billing 63662 with 63688
Question: A patient presented to the operating room (OR) for the removal of a spinal ... Read more
Coding Compliance:
Consider More than NCCI Eligibility with Certain Procedures
NCCI doesn't always have final say when it comes to bundling. Many coders see the Nationa... Read more
Case Studies:
Decide Between Modifier, Unlisted Code in These Scenarios
Simplify the decision-making process using this algorithm. The decision to bill out for a... Read more
NCCI Policy:
Be Careful When Fusing Lumbar Laminectomy, Arthrodesis Codes
Check the NCCI Policy Manual for clarity on lumbar fusions, laminectomies. Preparing the ... Read more
Reader Question:
Consider Practicality, Chances of Success Before Appealing
Question: My provider follows the philosophy that we should appeal all denials, regar... Read more
Reader Question:
Identify Each Component Included in a 95970 Electronic Analysis
Question: The provider saw a new patient for an outpatient evaluation and management ... Read more
Reader Question:
Use Modifier 53 at Any Stage of a Discontinued Procedure
Question: A patient was scheduled to have an anterior cervical discectomy and fusion ... Read more
You Be the Coder:
Code Ventriculostomy, Craniotomy for Separate Burr Hole Sites
Question: The physician performs a frontal ventriculostomy during an exploratory supr... Read more
ICD-10 Coding:
Correctly Code These Unindexable Spinal Diseases
Follow these rules when the ICD-10 index fails you. The implementation of ICD-10, while s... Read more
MIPS:
Maximize Reimbursement Through MIPS Compliance
Stay on top of MIPS requirements for the best shot at optimal reimbursement. As of Jan. 1... Read more
Get Started with These Three Neurosurgery-Specific Measures
You are looking for both relevance and practicality when considering which MIPS measures a... Read more
CPT® Coding:
Follow These 2 Steps for the Best Chance at Unlisted Code Payment
Take this advice to ease the burden of billing for unlisted codes. Unlisted codes are see... Read more
Reader Question:
Take This Approach Coding Multiple Nerve Blocks
Question: My physician performed three bilateral nerve blocks: a lesser occipital ner... Read more
Reader Question:
It Takes 2 to Monitor Intraoperatively
Question: We have two surgeons co-performing a corpus callosotomy, with one planning ... Read more
Reader Question:
Rely on Documentation When Applying Modifier 53
Question: The surgeon was in the beginning stages of performing an L2-L3, L3-L4 arthr... Read more
You Be the Coder:
Remember P Codes When Diagnosing Infant Cerebral Trauma
Question: An infant is brought to the operating room with a post-traumatic intraventr... Read more
CPT® Coding:
Follow Expert Guidance, Simplify Depressed Skull Fracture Coding
Look for dura repair and debridement in addition to repair of depressed fracture. If you ... Read more
ICD-10 Quiz:
Answer These 5 Key Questions to Test Paralytic Disorder Coding
Key: Determine extent of paralysis and level of injury. Paralytic disorders ranging from ... Read more
Answers:
Paralytic Disorders ICD-10 Quiz
Confirm laterality and dominant side for hemiplegia, monoplegia; determine level for quadr... Read more
News You Can Use:
CMS Announces ABN Form Update
Prepare to adopt new ABN form in June. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CM... Read more
Reader Question:
Submit R29.6 for Repeated Falls
Question: In a patient with gait imbalance, our physician documented repeated falls. ... Read more
Reader Question:
I.D. Tapping and Replacement in Ventriculoperitoneal Shunts
Question: Our surgeon performed an irrigation of the ventricular catheter through a p... Read more
Reader Question:
Confirm Laminotomy vs. Laminectomy in Spinal Cyst Excision
Question: In a patient with right-sided radiculopathy, our surgeon diagnosed a synovial cy... Read more
You Be the Coder:
Single Access May Bundle Craniectomy Procedures
Question: In a patient with a brain tumor, our surgeon excised the growth and also evacuat... Read more
ICD-10:
Ignoring External Cause Codes Could Cost You
Look to V, W, X, and Y for the alphabet soup of these codes. No medical practice likes to... Read more
Modifiers:
3 Neurosurgery-Specific Examples Guide Your Modifier 52 Usage
Reduced service? Don't reduce your coding finesse. Neurosurgery coders are quite familiar... Read more
E/M Coding:
Your Most Pressing E/M Questions, With Answers Directly From Medicare
Can the nurse document the history? Read this advice. Neurosurgeons are known for their s... Read more
Reader Question:
Know Your Occipital Nerve Block Options
Question: Our neurosurgeon administered a block near the skull base to treat occipita... Read more
Reader Question:
Know When Dural Repair is Bundled
Question: Our neurosurgeon repaired a dural tear to contain a cerebrospinal fluid (CS... Read more
Reader Question:
Don't Forget Operating Microscope Code
Question: Our neurosurgeon used the operating microscope for visualization when he cl... Read more
Reader Question:
Check CCI, Then Look at Dx Codes Post-Denial
Question: We normally report video EEGs with codes 95951 and 95957, but our payer is ... Read more
Reader Question:
Watch the Clock for Prolonged Service Coding
Question: We have a new neurosurgeon who sees complex pediatric cases, and his E/M vi... Read more
You Be the Coder:
Nail Down Vascular Dementia Code
Question: Our neurosurgeon saw a 75-year-old established patient with reduced memory ... Read more
Neurosurgery Coding Errors:
Avoid Medicare Paybacks With These Expert Examples
Auditors found over $260 million in errors among neurosurgery codes. It's no secret that ... Read more
E/M Coding:
Can You Determine What's Wrong With This E/M Code Selection?
Read through this documentation thoroughly and determine the coding problem. Neurosurgeon... Read more
ICD-10:
Make 'Z' Codes An Essential Part of Your Coding Toolkit
Z codes can provide diagnostic information for non-acute conditions Although you’ve... Read more
Clip And Save:
What Z Codes Can Do for You
Z codes are your keys to documenting chronic conditions or underlying physical or social c... Read more
Reader Question:
Use Modifiers for Multiple Guidance Types
Question: Our neurosurgeon resected a frontal lobe astrocytoma using microdissection ... Read more
Reader Question:
Documentation Must Be Specific to Select Dens Fracture Code
Question: Our surgeon repaired a dens fracture. Which diagnosis code should we report... Read more
You Be the Coder:
Know What to Report for Discontinued Spinal Puncture
Question: Our neurosurgeon was in the process of performing a spinal puncture to obta... Read more
2017 Update:
New In 2017: Must Know Revisions to Percutaneous Spinal Procedure Codes
You can now separately bill for moderate sedation with percutaneous vertebral procedures. ... Read more
ICD-10-CM Update:
ICD-10: Anatomy Is Key In Cerebral Embolism
Confirm symptoms to locate site of occlusion; check laterality before you select a code. ... Read more
Basics of Cerebral Circulation
Anterior, middle, and posterior cerebral arteries are key. Before you attempt coding f... Read more
Practice Management:
Coding Compliance: Here is How to Build A Strong Monitoring System
Identification, verification, and corrections are key compliance components. Have you bee... Read more
Reader Question:
Common CPT® Codes apply to Co-surgery
Question: Do sequential procedures qualify for co-surgery? Two of our neurosurgeons d... Read more
Reader Question:
Ignore Access in Ventricular Tap
Question: To relieve intracranial tension in a child, our surgeon did a ventricular... Read more
Reader Question:
Count Clinical Staff Time for 99487
Question: In the chronic care management code 99487, the descriptor mentions &lsquo... Read more
You Be the Coder:
62380 Allows Modifier 50
Question: Can we submit one unit of the new CPT® code 62380 for a bilateral endos... Read more
Coding strategy:
Build Flawless Claims For Spinal Procedures
Precise units, levels, modifiers, and payer preferences are key. You may be at higher ris... Read more
ICD-10 Quiz:
Assess Your Understanding For Key Neurosurgery Diagnosis
Attention to underlying cause and anatomical location are your guides in neurosurgery diag... Read more
E/M Coding:
E/M Reform: You Can Now Bill For Non-Face-To-Face Prolonged Services
Check if service qualifies for another E/M code; count only physician services. This year... Read more
Coding Tips:
Find The Right Answers For ICD-10 Coding Quiz
Laterality is key to subarachnoid hemorrhages and location is key in cervical disc displac... Read more
Reader Question:
Target A92.5 for Zika Virus Diagnosis
Question: Is there a new code for the diagnosis of Zika virus disease? Have there bee... Read more
Reader Question:
Check Chemodenervation Codes For Botulinum Injections
Question: In a patient with chronic migraine with no aura and no status migrainosus, ... Read more
You Be the Coder:
Incisions Are Not Focus for Spinal Decompression
Question: What would be the difference between 63030 versus 63056 far lateral disce... Read more
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