Search Search
Advanced Search

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
Available Years:  2020  2019  2018  2017  2016  2015  2014  2013  2012  2011  2010  2009  2008  2007  2006  2005  2004  2003  2002  2001  2000  

Which Codify by AAPC tool is right for you?

Call 844-334-2816 to speak with a Codify by AAPC specialist now.