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Neurosurgery Coding Alert

CPT®:
Establish Exact Number of Treatment Days, Understand Term “Racz Catheter” to Accurately Report Adhesiolysis
Hint: Never report codes 62263 and 62264 together. If your neurosurgeon performs percuta... Read more
Quiz:
6 Questions Guaranteed to Improve Your Bell’s Palsy Coding Skills
Hint: Facial palsy is the same as Bell's palsy. Since you only have one ICD-10-CM to choo... Read more
E/M 2021:
Expect Definition of Time to Change When Preparing for E/M 2021
Hint: Only guidelines for codes 99202-99215 will change. In past issues of Neurosurgery ... Read more
Reader Questions:
Decipher This Injection Situation
Question: The neurosurgeon injected a diagnostic agent into the patient's facet joint at t... Read more
Reader Questions:
Grasp What Vertebroplasty Procedure Entails
Question: I came across the term “vertebroplasty” in a medical record. Can you explain... Read more
Reader Questions:
Choose Correct Dx for Cerebral Palsy
Question: My physician performed a level-three office evaluation and management (E/M) serv... Read more
Reader Questions:
Make Sure to Most Recent ABN Form
Question: How do I know whether I'm using the correct advanced beneficiary notice (ABN) fo... Read more
Reader Questions:
Look Beyond Patient’s Medical Record for PHI
Question: Is there more to protected health information (PHI) than just a patient's medica... Read more
Reader Questions:
Know Options When Physicians Signature Illegible
Question: Do we have any options if our physician's signature is illegible? Texas Subscri... Read more
You Be the Coder:
Surgeon Repaired Depressed Skull Fracture? Do This
Question: To fix a depressed skull fracture, my neurosurgeon made an incision in the scalp... Read more
CPT®:
Fortify Your Stereotactic Surgery Claims by Knowing Exact Number and Location of Lesions, Intent Behind Surgery
Hint: Code 61790 refers to the gasserion ganglion, and 61791 refers to the medullary tract... Read more
ICD-10-CM:
7 Questions Solve your Most Burning CRPS I Coding Problems
Hint: Report G90.512 for CRPS I of left upper limb If your neurosurgeon sees patients wi... Read more
Denials:
Compose Detailed Payer Contracts, Track and Trend to Prevent Denials
Hint: Know your provider advocate by name. During the Virtual HEALTHCON 2020 presentation... Read more
You Be the Coder:
Solve Pulse Generator Conundrum
Question: My neurosurgeon replaced a vagus nerve stimulator (VNS) pulse generator with a n... Read more
Reader Questions:
Easily Differentiate Between Nerve Conduction Codes
Question: Can you explain the difference between a motor and/or sensory nerve conduct... Read more
Reader Questions:
Understand New PPE PHE Code
Question: What do you know about the new CPT® code for reporting additional practice expe... Read more
Reader Questions:
Discover Rules for ePHI
Question: Does electronic protected health information (ePHI) have to be encrypted to... Read more
CPT® 2021 Update:
Sort Through Injection Revisions, New Prolonged Services Choice, and Deleted T-Codes Before Jan. 1 Hits
Remember: You should not report +99417 for any time unit less than 15 minutes. When CPT®... Read more
ICD-10-CM:
Take 2 Steps to Perfect Your Spinal Nerve Root Injury Claims
Hint: The “A” character indicates an initial encounter. When your neurosurgeon docume... Read more
MPFS:
CMS Proposes to Cut Conversion Factor by 10.6% in MPFS Proposed Rule
Hint: Telehealth may expand into 2021. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services ... Read more
Reader Questions:
Select M45.2 for Ankylosing Spondylitis of Cervical Region
Question: My neurosurgeon documented a diagnosis of ankylosing spondylitis of the cervical... Read more
Reader Questions:
Don’t Fall Prey to Vishing Scams
Question: Our external information technology (IT) person sent an email to our practice wa... Read more
Reader Questions:
Understand LCD Diagnosis Requirements
Question: Does Medicare restrict coverage to only the diagnoses listed under the code's Lo... Read more
You Be the Coder:
Answer 3 Questions Before Appending Modifier 78
Question: My neurosurgeon had to return a patient to the OR for a repair of the dura to ar... Read more
Mythbuster:
Bust 5 Myths to Solidify Claims for Endovascular Therapeutic Interventions in Intracranial Arteries
Hint: You can separately report diagnostic angiography of a nontreated vascular territory.... Read more
Coding Quiz:
Quick Questions Test Your Vascular Dementia ICD-10-CM Skills
Check the documentation for behavioral disturbance indications. Since ICD-10-CM offers so... Read more
E/M 2021:
Conquer New 2021 MDM Level Table With Expert Advice
Remember: Data does not apply to code 99211. As discussed in earlier issues of Neurosurge... Read more
Reader Questions:
Distinguish Between Modifiers 52 and 53
Question: What guidelines should I adhere to for a surgery cancelled midway through f... Read more
Reader Questions:
Rely on This ICD-10-CM Code for Streptococcal Meningitis
Question: My neurosurgeon documented a diagnosis of Streptococcal meningitis, but I'm not ... Read more
Reader Questions:
Take This NPI Advice
Question: Our practice is moving from Ohio to Pennsylvania. Do our providers need to ... Read more
You Be the Coder:
Clarify What Kyphoplasty Procedure Entails
Question: I came across the term “kyphoplasty” in my neurosurgeon's medical docum... Read more
ICD-10-CM 2021:
Prep Yourself for New Ataxia, Intracranial Hypotension, and CSF Leaks ICD-10 Codes in October
Hint: ICD-10 adds new code G96.01 for spontaneous cranial CSF. ICD-10-CM recently release... Read more
Case Study:
Strengthen Your Craniotomy Coding Skills by Including Multiple ICD-10 Codes on This Claim
Hint: Understand when to report 62010 versus 61313. During a craniotomy, the surgeon remo... Read more
HIPAA:
Bust 3 Common Myths to Become a HIPAA Expert
Learn how to protect ePHI in your practice. Understanding the Health Insurance Portabilit... Read more
Reader Questions:
Make Sure to Use Correct Add-on Codes
Question: My neurosurgeon performed a PLIF with a discectomy. He used a structural il... Read more
Reader Questions:
Distinguish Between HCPCS Level II Codes and CPT® Codes
Question When should we report HCPCS Level II codes versus CPT® codes? Are HCPCS Level II... Read more
Reader Questions:
Understand New 2021 E/M Changes
Question: Since history and exam will no longer be key components for determining the leve... Read more
You Be the Coder:
Decipher This Spinal Decompression Scenario
Question: The patient had a herniated disc L4-L5 with radiculopathy. The surgeon made a mi... Read more
Spinal Coding:
Become an Expert at Counting Vertebral Segments and Interspaces to Safeguard Your Claims
 The term “thoracic” is related to the patient's chest. If you've ever felt over... Read more
CPT®:
3 Tips Sharpen Your Depressed Skull Fracture Repair Smarts
Hint: Turn to 62000 for simple fractures. You read in the op report that your neurosurgeo... Read more
Documentation:
Improve Your Neurosurgery Practice's Documentation by Emphasizing HPI, ROS, and A/P
The documentation should describe each diagnosis succinctly and to the highest level of sp... Read more
Reader Questions:
Observe Documentation Requirements for Telehealth
Question: Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, our providers are performing mostly telehealt... Read more
Reader Questions:
Rely on G20 for Parkinson's Dx
Question: If my neurosurgeon documented a diagnosis for Parkinson's disease, which ICD-10 ... Read more
Reader Questions:
Follow ECoG Reporting Rules
Question: My neurosurgeon analyzed an electrocorticogram recording from a previously ... Read more
You Be the Coder:
Decipher This Decompression Scenario
Question: According to the op report, the neurosurgeon removed a small amount of gel-like ... Read more
CPT®:
Always Read Op Report Carefully to Avoid 3 Common Laminectomy Errors
Hint: Don't mix up term “laminectomy” with “laminotomy.” Spinal surgery can be ve... Read more
Quiz:
Answer 4 Quick Questions to Conquer NF1, NF2, and Schwannomatosis Claims
Hint: Schwannomatosis doesn't cause hearing loss like NF2. When your neurosurgeon documen... Read more
E/M 2021:
5 Tips Safeguard Your Neurosurgery Practice for Looming 2021 E/M Changes
The new criteria for basing the E/M level on either MDM or time only applies to codes 9920... Read more
Reader Questions:
Don't Fall Prey to COVID-19 Cyberattacks
Question: Even months into the COVID-19 pandemic, I still feel like it's kind of hard... Read more
Reader Questions:
Turn to This Code for Long-Term EEG Setup
Question: Which code should I report for long-term EEG setup? Alabama Subscriber An... Read more
Reader Questions:
Dial Into This Injection Scenario
Question: My neurosurgeon injected an anesthetic agent into the nerves innervating th... Read more
You Be the Coder:
Decipher ACDF Scenario
Question: The surgeon performs ACDF at C4-C5 with cage insertion, non-segmental instr... Read more
COVID-19:
Stay Up to Date With New COVID-19 ICD-10 Guidelines
Remember: Sequence U07.1 as primary diagnosis, with one exception. ICD-10-CM recently ad... Read more
Tips:
Ace Intracranial Hematoma Evacuations Every Time With Handy Tips
If you can confirm the infratentorial location of the hematoma, you will turn to codes 61... Read more
CPT®:
Follow These Steps to Boost Your Spinal Catheter Knowledge
Remember: Codes 62325 and 62327 use imaging guidance. When it comes to spinal catheters... Read more
Reader Question:
Rely On These Codes for Cervical Disc Disorder With Myelopathy
Question: My surgeon documented that the patient has a cervical disc disorder with myelopa... Read more
Reader Question:
Understand How to Append Modifiers Correctly
Question: I have been training several new coders, and a couple of them are having problem... Read more
You Be the Coder:
Decipher This PLIF Scenario
Question: My neurosurgeon performed a posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF) with a disc... Read more
News You Can Use:
Prepare Your Neurosurgery Practice With New COVID-19 Codes
CPT® adds new code 87635 for novel coronavirus testing. The novel coronavirus (COVID-19)... Read more
Telehealth:
Discover New Telehealth Guidance During COVID-19 Pandemic
Use G2012 for real-time, synchronous telephone interactions. With the outbreak of the n... Read more
EMG:
Solidify Your Needle EMG Coding for Cleaner Claims
Remember: CPT® gives you very specific rules for how to report add-on codes +95885-+95887... Read more
Reader Question:
Know Whether Intracranial Aneurysm is Simple or Complex
Question: Before performing surgery for a complex intracranial aneurysm, the surgeon perfo... Read more
Reader Question:
Check Side of Body Impacted to Choose Correct ICD-10 Code
Question: What ICD-10 code should I report of the physician documented lumbago with sciati... Read more
You Be the Coder:
Observe LON Block Scenario
Question: My neurosurgeon performed an occipital nerve block for the patient. He diagnosed... Read more
CPT®:
5 Tips Guide Your Head and Neck Angiography Reporting
You can report +36227 in conjunction with codes 36222, 36223, or 36224. Coding for head a... Read more
CCI 2020:
Discover What's New for Neurosurgery in the CCI Policy Manual
You will see new abbreviation AOC in the 2020 CCI Policy Manual. You learned all about th... Read more
E/M 2021:
Equip Your Practice for Future 2021 Changes to E/M New Patient Office Codes
In 2021, physicians may use either time or MDM to select level for E/M office codes 2021 ... Read more
Reader Question:
Pick Correct Dx Code for Neurofibromatosis Type 2
Question: Which ICD-10 code should I report for neurofibromatosis type 2? Hawaii Subscrib... Read more
Reader Question:
Rely on 96132 in This Case
Question: My physician spent two hours with a patient administering the Halstead–Reitan ... Read more
You Be the Coder:
Report 61645 for This Scenario
Question: The surgeon gained access through the right common femoral artery and advanced a... Read more
CCI 26.0 Update:
Focus on New 2020 EEG and VEEG CCI Edits
Remember: Always pay attention to modifier indicators. You've learned all about the 2020 ... Read more
CERT:
CERT 2019 Report Discovers Incorrect Coding as Top Error for Neurosurgery Practices
Insufficient documentation errors found as major mistakes for Part B providers. As you ar... Read more
Quiz:
FAQs Answer Your Meningitis Dx Conundrums
Report G03.0 for nonpyogenic meningitis. When your surgeon documents meningitis in the me... Read more
Reader Question:
Demystify Craniectomy Codes
Question: The neurosurgeon made an incision in the patient's scalp above the area where th... Read more
Reader Question:
Discover Correct Option for Laminectomy of Extradural Growth on Lumbar Spine
Question: The neurosurgeon performed a laminectomy to remove an extradural growth in the p... Read more
Reader Question:
Solve ICD-10 Puzzle With Expert Advice
Question: My physician documented a type II occipital condyle fracture, right side, caused... Read more
You Be the Coder:
Follow New EEG, VEEG Guidelines
Question: Can you bill 95816 with 95700? New York Subscriber Answer: No. In a parentheti... Read more
CPT®:
Differentiate Between Vertebroplasty and Kyphoplasty to Solidify Vertebral Fracture Repair Claims
Hint: Read the notes to see if the surgeon created a cavity in the vertebral body. When y... Read more
Tips:
5 Tips Sharpen Your Ankylosing Spondylitis Dx Skills
Turn to M08.1 for juvenile ankylosing spondylitis. Are you scratching your head when it c... Read more
Quiz:
Quick Quiz Tests Your Modifier 78 Smarts
Remember: The subsequent surgery requires a return trip to the OR. In certain situations,... Read more
Reader Question:
Know Hematoma Type to Select Appropriate Code
Question: The neurosurgeon took a CT scan to confirm that the patient has a subdural hemat... Read more
Reader Question:
Discover Role of EEG Technologist
Question: I noticed that some of the new EEG and VEEG codes for 2020 specify that an EEG t... Read more
Reader Question:
Expert Advice Demystifies Disc Compressions
Question: I'm new to neurosurgery coding, and I'm confused about disc compressions, especi... Read more
You Be the Coder:
Identify 5 Steps for 62120
Question: Our neurosurgeon performed a 62120 service. Can you explain what steps he adopte... Read more
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