Neurosurgery Coding Alert

Question: Can we bill 61781 with 61510?

Alaska Subscriber

Answer: Medicare recently revised the policies to include several codes that can be billed with 61781 (Stereotactic computer-assisted (navigational) procedure; cranial, intradural [List separately in addition to code for primary procedure]), 61782 (Stereotactic computer-assisted [navigational] procedure; cranial, extradural [List separately in addition to code for primary procedure]) and 61783 (Stereotactic computer-assisted [navigational] procedure; spinal [List separately in addition to code for primary procedure]).

As of Sept. 1, 2011, you can bill 61781 with 61510 (Craniectomy, trephination, bone flap craniotomy; for excision of brain tumor, supratentorial, except meningioma), as well as other craniectomy codes for tumor, cyst and abscess. Check the Medicare site for more information: http://www.wpsmedicare.com/part_b/policy/updates/revised/. The navigation codes (61781, 61782, 61783) should be listed immediately after the primary code (61510) for which the navigation system was used.