Neurosurgery Coding Alert

The “Introduction” to the Correct Coding Initiative (CCI) manual defines the criteria by which it assigns code pairs to the comprehensive/component category. Here are some select principles. CPT Definition. Some CPT codes are part of a series in which the first code becomes a component for the following codes. For example, 61512 (craniectomy, trephination, bone flap craniotomy; for excision of memingioma, supratentorial), if performed through the same craniectomy as a tumor removal (61510), would be considered part of that procedure. CPT Manual Instructions/Guidelines. CPT also gives bundling instructions in the code descriptors or at the beginning of some sections in the manual (e.g., see code 22554). Separate Procedures. A separate procedure is generally a minor procedure, which, if performed at the same time as a larger procedure, is bundled. These “separate procedures” form the basis of many black-box coding edits, additional disallowed code pairs added to the CCI guidelines. For [...]