Neurosurgery Coding Alert

Do not forget to confirm with your payer.

Are you reporting a service that is rare, unusual, variable, or new? You may need to report an 'unlisted procedure' code. In 2013, you may turn to new and discrete codes for unlisted procedures. The unlisted procedure codes for the procedures on spine and cranium include the following:

• 22899 -- Unlisted procedure, spine
• 69979 -- Unlisted procedure, temporal bone, middle fossa approach
• 21499 -- Unlisted musculoskeletal procedure, head

Before you report any of these, do not forget to confirm with your payer if the service is covered. You may even try obtaining a precertification stating that your payer accepts the procedure as medically necessary procedure and is not a covered service.

Also, make sure your surgeon documents the procedure. You may request your surgeon to prepare a letter explaining the need and extent of the procedure and comparing it with a standard CPT® code.

Editor's note: Look for more on 2013 codes in the next issue of Neurosurgery Coding Alert.