Search Search
Advanced Search

Neurosurgery Coding Alert

2024 MPFS Final Rule:
New Fee Schedule Has Same Old CF Issues
CMS makes good on its earlier proposals—including cutting the CF again. In mid-Novembe... Read more
Surgery:
Drill Down for Patient Details on Osteotomy Claims
Don't forget about post-osteotomy arthrodesis. When your surgeon treats a patient with ... Read more
Quick Coding Corner:
Brush Up on Spinal Puncture With 2 Clinical Examples
Know when diagnostic puncture turns surgical. Last month, we discussed the issue of spina... Read more
Reader Question:
Remember Add-On for Ventricular Catheter
Question: Encounter notes indicate that the surgeon created subdural twist drill hole... Read more
Reader Question:
Know Craniectomy/Craniotomy Differences to Nail Coding
Question: What is the difference between a craniectomy and a craniotomy? Arkansas S... Read more
Reader Question:
Get to Know Alternate Terms for Horner’s Syndrome
Question: Encounter notes indicate that the provider treated a patient whose final di... Read more
Reader Question:
Used ‘Other’ Dx for This Myelopathy
Question: If a patient has spinal cord edema, should I report the condition with G95.... Read more
Reader Question:
Go Beyond Face Time on E/Ms
Question: One of our providers wants to bill an evaluation and management (E/M) visit... Read more
Reader Question:
Don’t Make MDM Decision Lightly
Question: Do inherent risks, such as perforation, make all surgeries “high risk” ... Read more
You Be the Coder:
Lateral Cervical Puncture With Myelopathy
Question: Encounter notes indicate that the surgeon performed a lateral cervical punc... Read more
Surgery:
I.D. Craniosynostosis Type for Optimal Coding
Surgery type depends on specifics of condition. When a patient is suffering from craniosy... Read more
CPT® 2024:
T Codes Get Big Update Next Year
Remember to check with payer to see if procedure's covered. If CPT® 2024 is any indicati... Read more
Surgery:
Use These Tips to Tap Spinal Puncture Coding Gold
Decision to perform puncture could be made during E/M. Coders that aren't careful could h... Read more
You Be The Coder:
First Encounter With MS Patient
Question: Encounter notes indicate that the surgeon treated a new patient with multip... Read more
Reader Question:
Check for Anesthesia Before Coding Manipulation
Question: After a level-four office evaluation and management (E/M) service for an e... Read more
Reader Question:
Know These Factors to Detect Bone Biopsy Depth
Question: Encounter notes indicate that our surgeon took a thoracic spinal bone biops... Read more
Reader Question:
Reiter’s Block? Use This Info to Choose Dx
Question: Encounter notes indicate that the physician treated a patient with Reiter's dise... Read more
Reader Question:
CMS Allows (a Little) Grace on Redetermination Filings
Question: We are getting really close to the 120-day deadline to submit a redetermina... Read more
CPT® 2024:
Vertebral Body Tethering, Device Insertion Highlight New Codes
CPT® will also revise these revision/removal codes. The list of new, revised, and delete... Read more
CPT® 2024:
Office/Outpatient E/M Descriptors Get Important Revision
Experts: CPT® made changes to parallel other E/M codes. The new CPT® code book will f... Read more
Surgery:
Spinal Fusion, Part 2: Remember Complex Coding Rules for Surgery
Got evidence of presurgical treatment attempts? Include it on the claim. Last month, we r... Read more
Reader Questions:
Drill Down to Find Proper Neck Fx Dx
Question: Encounter notes indicate that the surgeon performed an office evaluation and man... Read more
Reader Questions:
Check for This Element to Correctly Code Dural Leak Repairs
Question: Encounter notes indicate that the surgeon performed repair of a dural leak. What... Read more
Reader Questions:
Confused About Hydrocephalus Dx Codes? Check This Out
Question: What are the differences among the hydrocephalus diagnosis codes in ICD-10? Ten... Read more
Reader Questions:
Uncertain Dx Might Factor Into MDM
Question: Does an undiagnosed new problem with uncertain diagnosis automatically translate... Read more
You Be the Coder:
Do This on Guidance With Intervertebral Aspiration
Question: Encounter notes indicate that the surgeon performed percutaneous intervertebral ... Read more
Medicare Physician Fee Schedule:
Mark 4 Proposals on Proposed 2024 MPFS
Rules on SDoH, telehealth highlight proposal. Even though the COVID-19 public health emer... Read more
Condition Coding:
Use This Advice When Surgeon Tests for Stroke
Also, remember to choose the correct ICD-10 code for each patient. When patients report t... Read more
Surgery:
Know Spinal Fusion Approach, Technique to Master Coding
Surgical specifics will light the way when coding fusions. When your surgeon performs sp... Read more
Reader Questions:
Get Details to Solidify Skull Fracture Dx
Question: Encounter notes indicate that the surgeon performed an office evaluation an... Read more
Reader Questions:
Know MRA, MRI Differences Before Coding
Question: Encounter notes indicate the provider ordered a magnetic resonance angiogr... Read more
Reader Questions:
Be Prepared to Use Menstrual Migraine Dx Codes
Question: Are there ICD-10 codes specific to migraine during menstruation? If so, how... Read more
Reader Questions:
Report Single Code for These Cranial Nerve Sections
Question: Encounter notes indicate that the surgeon performed a suboccipital craniect... Read more
You Be the Coder:
Tarlov Cyst Translates to This ICD-10 Code
Question: Encounter notes indicate that a patient suffers from a ‘Tarlov cyst.' Wha... Read more
NCCI Edits:
Check Out the 3rd Quarter Edit That Will Cause Confusion
CMS admits the error, but won't issue clarification right now. The third quarter National... Read more
Surgery:
Code All Services on CSF Shunt Creation
Remember to check for neuroendoscopy. When your surgeon creates a cerebrospinal fluid (CS... Read more
MIPS Reporting:
For Smaller Practices, These MIPS Reminders Are Pure Gold
Remember that CMS has tools on offer to help. Submitting measures for the Merit-Based In... Read more
Reader Questions:
Use Dx Code Trio for This Laminectomy Patient
Question: A new patient presents with cervical spinal stenosis at C5-C6 and degenerat... Read more
Reader Questions:
ICD-10 Will Also Feature These New Codes
Question: Last month's issue of Neurosurgery Coding Alert contained information on se... Read more
Reader Questions:
Modifier 52-Injection Claim Getting Denied? Try This Instead
Question: Our providers commonly perform lumbar sympathetic plexus blocks via single ... Read more
You Be the Coder:
Arthrodesis With Allograft
Question: A 52-year-old patient reports to the office complaining of three months of ... Read more
ICD-10 2024:
Update Includes New Dx Codes for Parkinson’s, Epilepsy
Chronic migraine with aura to be represented in 2024. It's that time of year again. The f... Read more
Surgery:
Remember Level to Code Cervical Arthrodesis
Here's why you won't be reporting 22251 for a C1-C2 arthrodesis. In a neurosurgery pract... Read more
AI Learning:
AI Learning Aided With AMA’s Classifications
Know the AI nuances that could affect your coding. There's a lot of data in any edition... Read more
Reader Questions:
Do This on Osseointegrated Implant, Removal
Question: How would I code for implantation of an osseointegrated implant? Is the replacem... Read more
Reader Questions:
Remember V Code Along With Skull Fracture Dx
Question: A new patient reports to the surgeon complaining of intermittent headaches that ... Read more
Reader Questions:
Make Every Breach a Top Priority
Question: We uncovered a small data breach in our practice that impacted about 225 patient... Read more
You Be the Coder:
Craniotomy for Arnold-Chiari Malformation
Question: Encounter notes indicate that the surgeon performed craniotomy for a patient wit... Read more
Surgical Coding:
Master Quartet of Meningocele/Myelomeningocele Repair Codes
Remember to include repair size on claim. Some code sets are specific to certain conditio... Read more
Clip N Save:
Look to These Codes on Meningocele/Myelomeningocele Repairs
Hydrocephalus could be affecting patients needing these procedures. Patients requiring me... Read more
Compliance:
Prove Medical Necessity Through Thorough Documentation
Make sure you know what payer expects in notes. As a coder, you understand that medical ... Read more
ICD-10 Coding:
Learn Disc Disorder Types to Pinpoint Dx
Report M50.8- for‘other' cervical disc disorders. Patients reporting to the practice wi... Read more
Reader Questions:
Get Monoplegia/Cauda Equina Straight, Then Choose Dx
Question: What is the proper diagnosis code for cauda equina, and how does this condi... Read more
Reader Questions:
Use This Guide to Map Vascular Areas
Question: I have a question regarding percutaneous balloon dilatation of intracranial... Read more
Reader Questions:
Device Drives Epidural Code Choice
Question: Encounter notes indicate that the surgeon implanted a device for epidural d... Read more
You Be the Coder:
Lesion Destruction After E/M, CT
Question: A new patient reports to the surgeon with severe headaches that have been h... Read more
Surgery:
Learn to Count to Code Vertebroplasty/Vertebral Augmentation
The number of vertebrae treated will affect code choice. Patients reporting to your surge... Read more
E/M Coding:
Experts Evaluate 2023 Inpatient/Hospital Codes
Getting used to new E/M guidelines is challenging. Unless you haven't coded anything in... Read more
Compliance:
Hit Documentation Hotspots to Nail Each Claim
E/M level very often affected by what's in the notes. Comprehensive documentation is key... Read more
Reader Questions:
Approach Matters on Tumor Excision
Question: How should I report excision of a pituitary tumor? AAPC Forum Subscriber Ans... Read more
Reader Questions:
Remember Code First Notes for Neuro Disorder
Question: The surgeon treats a patient with mild neurocognitive disorder due to Parkinson'... Read more
Reader Questions:
Drill Down Into Details for Dementia Dx
Question: A patient who suffers from mild vascular dementia has exhibited some aggressive ... Read more
You Be the Coder:
Bone Flap Craniotomy With Chemo Agent
Question: The surgeon performs a supratentorial bone flap craniotomy for excision of a bra... Read more
Case Study Corner:
Can You Completely Code This Spinal Deformity Surgery Scenario?
Remember, there are anterior and posterior arthrodesis codes. In last month's issue of Ne... Read more
Injections:
Take TPI Tally by Counting Muscles
Here's why number of injections won't matter on these claims. Patients suffering from mus... Read more
Compliance:
Stay HIPAA Compliant With Knowledge of These 3 Elements
When the PHE ends, will your practice be ready? While the COVID-19 public health emergenc... Read more
Reader Questions:
Use This Advice on Sequestrectomy
Question: When the surgeon removes diseased bone and tissue from the brain, should I ... Read more
Reader Questions:
Payer Policy Drives Critical Care Coding
Question: Encounter notes indicate that the surgeon performed 75 minutes of critical ... Read more
Reader Questions:
Drill Down for More Detailed Hemorrhage Dx
Question: Encounter notes indicate that the provider performed a level-five evaluati... Read more
You Be the Coder:
Locate Vascular Territories to Code Drug Admin
Question: Encounter notes indicate that the surgeon performed prolonged administratio... Read more
Surgery:
Use Special Code Set for Spinal Deformity Arthrodesis
Know how surgeon diagnosed deformity for proper coding. Patients that require arthrodesis... Read more
Testing:
Know Length of EEG for Accurate Coding
Here's why the patient's consciousness matters during EEGs. When patients report to your ... Read more
ICD-10 Coding:
Keep Migraine Coding Pains at Bay With Character Smarts
Deep dive into characters required for accurate Dx selection. When it comes to diagnosi... Read more
Reader Questions:
Bank on Add-On Code for Multiple Hemilaminectomies
Question: Encounter notes indicate that the surgeon performed hemilaminectomy on spin... Read more
Reader Questions:
Mind Code First Instructions on Toxic Myopathy Dx
Question: During an office evaluation and management service, the provider performed ... Read more
Reader Questions:
Prep Now for PHE End Time
Question: I read that there's been another extension to the public health emergency ... Read more
You Be the Coder:
Code Focal TBI and Blast Injury
Question: Encounter notes indicate that the neurosurgeon provided 62 minutes of criti... Read more
Surgery:
Remember to Report Disc Removals Separately
Be on the lookout for other codeable services during removals. In last month's issue, we ... Read more
Condition Spotlight:
Specifics of Encephalocele Helps Your Dx, CPT® Coding
There are several types of encephalocele from which a patient could suffer. Patients that... Read more
MPFS Final Rule:
Critical Care Add-On Creates Payer Discrepancies
Correct payment rules will be payer-dependent. The more you look at the 2023 Medicare Phy... Read more
Reader Questions:
MPFS Hands Down Final CF
Question: I remember that the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS) final rule came ... Read more
Reader Questions:
Remember to Code Using New Observation Rules
Question: Encounter notes indicate that on Feb. 2, 2023, the provider performed initi... Read more
Reader Questions:
Incident-to N/A for This Patient Type
Question: A new patient came in and the nurse practitioner (NP) took the initial hist... Read more
Reader Questions:
Spinal Area Matters on Schmorl’s Nodes Dx
Question: What are Schmorl's nodes, and how do I choose a diagnosis code for the cond... Read more
Reader Questions:
Get Segment Count Before Coding Arthrodesis
Question: Encounter notes indicate that on Monday, the surgeon provided a level-four... Read more
You Be the Coder:
Don’t Be Confused by Provisional Tic Syndrome
Question: Encounter notes indicate that the physician treated a patient suffering fro... Read more
Surgery:
Know Code Family to Tackle Total Disc Arthroplasty
Here's when you'll need T codes to report these surgeries. When your surgeon performs a t... Read more
E/M 2023:
New Prolonged Service Codes Require Payer-Specific Smarts
CMS, CPT® still split on when you can code for extra time. In the last few years, the Ce... Read more
Clip & Save:
Consult This Chart to Select Codes
To avoid confusion over code choice for your Medicare and private payer patients, and to c... Read more
Testing:
Latency Length Matters on Evoked Potential Studies
Providers use test to check for MS, other neuro conditions. When your provider performs a... Read more
Reader Question:
Go Deeper Into Code Book for Fuller Spine X-rays
Question: The provider performs a single-view X-ray of the spine that includes the en... Read more
Reader Question:
Complicated Headache Means These ICD-10 Codes
Question: What is complicated headache syndrome? How do I choose an ICD-10 code for t... Read more
Reader Question:
Get More Info for Concussion E/M
Question: Encounter notes indicate that the provider performed an office evaluation a... Read more
Reader Question:
Rely on Combo Code for This Lumbago/Sciatica Dx
Question: Encounter notes indicate that a patient suffers from right-sided lumbago an... Read more
You Be the Coder:
Halo Application for Thin Skull Osteology
Question: After a computed tomography (CT) scan with contrast materials and 3D rendering, ... Read more
Available Years:  2023  2022  2021  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.