Neurosurgery Coding Alert

Watch out: Not applying this modifier could mean missing out on $220. You may know that you shouldnt separately report a venous catheter when your neurosurgeon creates an -atrial, -auricular, and -jugular shunt, but did you realize using a neuroendoscope means including an add-on code that can boost your bottom line by $108? Follow these five steps to highlight whats most important in your neurosurgeons documentation and avoid leaving well-deserved money on the table. Step 1: Pinpoint Where the Shunt Begins, Ends Dont be too eager to assume your initial shunt placement code. "With the volume of work we all have, its easy to become complacent and fall into the habit of billing the same code each time you see the word shunt," says Beth Thomsen, billing coordi-nator for the Department of Surgery at University of Toledo Physicians in Ohio. "The one time you fail to double-check will be the [...]