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Neurosurgery Coding Alert

Surgery:
Know Area Before Coding Neurostimulator Arrays
A trio of code sets represents these surgeries. Patients requiring open neurostimulator e... Read more
Medicare Physician Fee Schedule:
Here’s the Big News in the 2025 Proposed Rule
Big surprise: Another rate cut is coming. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Servic... Read more
Modifier Madness:
Append Assistant at Surgery Modifiers Correctly
Hint: Do not report modifiers 80 and AS together. Modifiers are important to your medica... Read more
You Be the Coder:
Electrothermal Annuloplasty
Question: A patient with lumbar spondylolysis reports to the surgeon for percutaneous... Read more
Reader Questions:
Use This Code for Lumbar Stenosis Tx
Question: Encounter notes indicates that the surgeon performed a laminectomy with exp... Read more
Reader Questions:
Select This Dx for Pick’s Disease
Question: Encounter notes indicate that a patient suffers from primary progressive ap... Read more
Reader Questions:
Get the Skinny on Medicare Overpayment Timeline
Question: We've heard that Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) says we... Read more
Reader Questions:
Distinguish NCD From LCD
Question: What's the difference between a national coverage determi­nation (NCD) and... Read more
Reader Questions:
Phone In This E/M Encounter
Question: A patient presented to the office for a follow-up appointment. When the pat... Read more
ICD-10 2025:
Codes for Epilepsy, Disc Degeneration Highlight New Additions
Do you know what KCNQ2-related epilepsy is? ICD-10 just settled on its list of new, revis... Read more
Compliance:
7 Myths and 1 Truth About Fee-for-Time Billing
Prep now for summer fee-for-time fill-ins, previously called locum tenens. Summer vacatio... Read more
HEALTHCON 2024:
Keep Up With These Changes to Post-PHE Telehealth
And get ready for telehealth codes to change again in 2025. During her HEALTHCON 2024 pr... Read more
Reader Questions:
Use This Dx Code for Atelomyelia
Question: A patient suffering from “atelomyelia” reports to the surgeon. What di... Read more
Reader Questions:
Remember Code First Notes on Toxic Encephalopathy Dx
Question: Encounter notes indicate that a patient suffers from cell-associated neurot... Read more
Reader Questions:
Think Beyond Reimbursement for Z Codes and Medical Necessity
Question: Do Z codes really affect reimbursement, or are they mostly designed to pad ... Read more
Reader Questions:
Find CERT Info via Hub
Question: Are there any resources available to help folks navigate the Center for Med... Read more
You Be the Coder:
Nucleus Pulposus Removal
Question: A patient with lumbar discitis has a herniated nucleus pulposus at L3-L4; t... Read more
Surgery:
Get Aneurysm Repair Coding Right With These Tips
Complex fixes must meet certain parameters. When a patient experiences an intracranial an... Read more
Spinal Surgery:
Code Differently for Arthrodesis for Spinal Deformity
Knowledge of deformity types will help, too. When a patient reports to the neurosurgeon f... Read more
Modifier Madness:
Avoid These 5 Modifier 59 Errors to Keep Pay Flowing
Plus: Find out the 2024 news that changes one modifier 59 rule. What would you do if 40... Read more
Reader Questions:
Choose 1 Dx Code for Epilepsy With These Seizures
Question: Encounter notes indicate that a patient suffers from epilepsy that is not i... Read more
Reader Questions:
Report Pump Insertion With This Code
Question: Encounter notes indicate that the surgeon inserted an implantable cranial p... Read more
Reader Questions:
Find Flexibility in Delegating Prior Authorizations
Question: If a patient's prescribed medication needs a prior authorization from their... Read more
Reader Questions:
Distinguish Medical Identity Theft From Other Types of Fraud
Question: Is medical identity theft a type of fraudulent claim? Minnesota Subscribe... Read more
You Be the Coder:
Multi-Level Spinal Osteotomy
Question: A patient with cervical neuromuscular scoliosis reports to the surgeon for ... Read more
Spinal Procedures:
Note Implant Method to Stick Spinal Neurostimulator Claims
Your physician can use 2 different techniques to perform this surgery. When a patient nee... Read more
Modifier Madness:
Know These Modifier QW Dos and Don’ts
Hint: Check the CLIA list every time you're submitting a new lab test. Some coding modif... Read more
Compliance:
Fight for Your Right to Appeal and Win
Insurance companies aren't advocating for your office; that's your job. During her HEAL... Read more
Reader Questions:
Look to Alternate Terms for This Radiculopathy Dx
Question: Encounter notes indicate that a patient suffers from “brachial neuritis.... Read more
Reader Questions:
Leave Guidance Code off This CRPS Injection
Question: A patient who suffers from type 1 complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) in ... Read more
Reader Questions:
Understand the Rules on Reinstatement After Exclusion
Question: When an individual is excluded from participating in the Medicare program ... Read more
You Be the Coder:
Chiari Syndrome Testing, Coding
Question: A new patient reports to the neurosurgeon with headaches, neck pain, and co... Read more
Surgery:
Use These Tips for Successful Corpectomy Claims
Know that approach is vital to coding. Patients reporting to the surgeon for vertebral co... Read more
Telehealth:
Perfect Your Telehealth Reporting With This FAQ
Use this advice to answer future questions. Most practices have seen an uptick in telehea... Read more
Technology:
Evaluate Your Claims Before Submission by Adding AI to Your Revenue Cycle
Let AI handle simple coding cases to improve productivity. Healthcare has enjoyed a front... Read more
Reader Questions:
Remember to Code Meningitis Cause
Question: Encounter notes indicate that the surgeon performed an evaluation and manag... Read more
Reader Questions:
Know Type for Arnold-Chiari Malformation
Question: When a patient suffers from an Arnold-Chiari type 1 brain compression, how ... Read more
Reader Questions:
Define Stable Condition
Question: Is there any difference between a chronic condition and a stable condition... Read more
You Be the Coder:
LITT With Multiple Trajectories
Question: The surgeon decides to perform laser interstitial thermal therapy (LITT) on... Read more
Condition Spotlight:
Take This Avice to Correctly Code TBI Dx
Knowing diffuse, focal TBI definitions critical. Patients reporting to the surgeon with s... Read more
Condition Spotlight:
TBI Surgery Depends on Injury Specifics
TBI treatments range from medication to major surgery. When a patient suffers a traumatic... Read more
Compliance:
Final Rule Aims to Improve Interoperability and Access to Care
Plus: Feds finalize new API requirements and a MIPS measure, too. After the pandemic reve... Read more
Reader Questions:
Make Complication Dx As Specific As Possible
Question: If a patient suffers from an intra- or postoperative complication involvin... Read more
Reader Questions:
Understand These CMN Basics
Question: My billing supervisor erased data that the doctor wrote on a certificate of... Read more
Reader Questions:
Medicare Ups Conversion Factor … Slightly
Question: Has there been any change to the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS) con... Read more
Reader Questions:
Be Careful With Complexity for Undiagnosed Condition
Question: Does an undiagnosed new problem with uncertain diagnosis automatically mea... Read more
You Be the Coder:
I&D of Spinal Osteomyelitis
Question: Encounter notes indicate that during an office evaluation and management (E... Read more
News You Can Use:
CPT® Clarifies New Unlisted Procedure Guidelines
Do you know you can report multiple unlisted procedures? In a recent CPT® Assistant arti... Read more
Surgery:
Code Correctly by Knowing Conditions for Craniotomy/Craniectomy
Do you know why the surgeon would perform amygdalohippocampectomy? When a patient under... Read more
Condition Spotlight:
Know Options for Optimal Scoliosis Tx Coding
Remember, a back brace might be used to lessen the condition. Patients that report to you... Read more
Reader Questions:
Know When to Code for Gill-Type Laminectomy
Question: Encounter notes indicate that the surgeon performed “laminectomy, Gill t... Read more
Reader Questions:
Know the 5 Levels of Medicare Appeals
Question: I filed a claim for a Medicare Part B patient with my Medicare Administrati... Read more
Reader Questions:
Use Details on CSF Leak Location to Nail Dx
Question: If a patient suffers from a cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak, how should I ch... Read more
You Be the Coder:
Get Your Codes in Order for This Trauma Scenario
Question: A 25-year-old snowboarder accidentally encounters an obstacle, resulting in... Read more
Skull Surgery:
Get Details Before Coding These Infant Operations
Do you know that craniomegalic skull is present at birth? Neurosurgery is always a delica... Read more
ICD-10 Coding:
Dig Deeper for Other Spondylopathy Dx
Here's why you need to mind particulars when using this ‘general' code set. Consideri... Read more
E/M Coding:
Review New-ish Hospital Coding Rules for Complete Compliance
Remember, observation and initial hospital care share codes now. In the last few years, C... Read more
Reader Questions:
Separate Superficial/Deep Implant Removals
Question: The surgeon removed a patient's buried wire skull implant that they did not... Read more
Reader Questions:
Differentiate Between CPS/Fibromyalgia
Question: The surgeon treated a patient suffering from central pain syndrome (CPS). F... Read more
Reader Questions:
Details Needed for This Opioid Injection Encounter
Question: Encounter notes indicate that the surgeon performed a therapeutic spinal op... Read more
You Be the Coder:
Subtemporal Cranial Decompression
Question: A new patient with normal-pressure hydrocephalus reports to the surgeon. Af... Read more
2024 MPFS:
CMS, CPT® Seeing Eye-to-Eye on Split/Shared Visits
See how the change will affect MDM scoring. It's 2024, and here's some good news to start... Read more
Quick Coding Corner:
Consider This Detailed Osteotomy Report
Don't forget to code for arthrodesis. In last month's issue of Neurosurgery Coding Alert,... Read more
Surgery:
Go Beyond Open/Closed Question on Vertebral Fx Fixes
Anatomy, grafting are also issues when coding these repairs. When a patient with a verteb... Read more
Reader Questions:
Don’t Code All Fatigue Syndromes the Same
Question: Are all fatigue syndromes the same, for diagnosis purposes? For example, if... Read more
Reader Questions:
Locate Anatomical Spot Before Choosing Neuroplasty Code
Question: Encounter notes indicate that the surgeon performed a neuroplasty. How shou... Read more
Reader Questions:
Look to Unlisted Codes for This Facet Joint Destruction
Question: Encounter notes indicate that the surgeon performed destruction of a singl... Read more
Reader Questions:
Code for Laterality on Stroke Dx
Question: I'm new to neurosurgery coding, and I was wondering if you could offer tips... Read more
You Be the Coder:
Diagnosing Embolic Cerebellar Abscess
Question: Notes indicate that the surgeon performed a level four office evaluation an... Read more
Neurosurgery Coding:
CPT® 2025 Puts New Ablation, Thoracic Block Codes on Tap
Code represents MRI/US combo. CPT® has released its list of new, revised, and deleted co... Read more
Neurosurgery Coding:
Get Your Claim to Flower With POTS Dx
Question: Encounter notes indicate that a patient suffers from “POTS.” I'm not re... Read more
Neurosurgery Coding:
Assessing Patient for TBI
Question: Encounter notes indicate that the neurosurgeon treated a new patient who ha... Read more
Neurosurgery Coding:
Sweat the Details on These Meningitis Diagnoses
Question: Encounter notes indicate that a patient suffers from “meningitis due to hemo f... Read more
Neurosurgery Coding:
Abscess and Granuloma? There’s a Code for That
Question: If a patient suffers from an intracranial abscess and granuloma, should I report... Read more
Neurosurgery Coding:
Know the Steps to Code Hydrocephalus Treatment With Confidence
Provider will likely use E/M, imaging to diagnose condition.   Patients sufferi... Read more
Neurosurgery Coding:
Documentation Details Are Vital on These Neurological Diagnoses
Some codes include character options for laterality and anatomy. One of the most importan... Read more
Neurosurgery Coding:
Count Segments on Osteotomy Claim
Question: Encounter notes indicate that the neurosurgeon treated a patient with thoracic p... Read more
Neurosurgery Coding:
Keep Hematoma, Seroma Straight With This Dx Advice
Question: While recovering from a craniotomy, the patient suffers a “brain hematoma,” ... Read more
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