Neurosurgery Coding Alert
READER QUESTION ~ Consider Drain Placement Part of Craniotomy Package
Nevada Subscriber
Answer: You won't be allowed to report the placement of the drain; it is bundled into the craniotomy code. On the claim,
- report 61533 (Craniotomy with elevation of bone flap; for subdural implantation of an electrode array, for long-term seizure monitoring) for the craniotomy.
- append 345.9x (Epilepsy, unspecified) to 61533 to prove medical necessity for the procedure.
Also: When your neurosurgeon removes the Jackson Pratt drain, the service is also bundled into 61533.
Neurosurgery Coding Alert
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