Neurosurgery Coding Alert

Key: Apply these add-ons and watch your modifier 51 use.When reporting add-on codes, for your surgeon's cranial and spinal work, you'll stand a much better chance of recouping full reimbursement if you follow three crucial guidelines.1. Don't Miss the Primary ProcedureRemember that an add-on code cannot be a standalone code. You will need an accompanying primary procedure code to fully account for the additional intraservice work that your clinician does in a single session or patient encounter. Example: Look at the codes below for percutaneous vertebral augmentation.22524 - Percutaneous vertebral augmentation, including cavity creation (fracture reduction and bone biopsy included when performed) using mechanical device, 1 vertebral body, unilateral or bilateral cannulation (e.g., kyphoplasty) lumbar22523 - Percutaneous vertebral augmentation, including cavity creation (fracture reduction and bone biopsy included when performed) using mechanical device, 1 vertebral body, unilateral or bilateral cannulation (e.g., kyphoplasty) thoracic22525 - Percutaneous vertebral augmentation, including cavity creation [...]