Neurosurgery Coding Alert

Question: During an E/M when the neurosurgeon used the 97 exam, is it fine to just say cranial nerves 2-12 are normal or would they have to specify for each nerve?

Ohio Subscriber

Answer: The specific cranial nerve(s) need to be identified. Those included in the neurological examination are CN2, 3/4/6, 5, 7, 8, 11, and 12. You must document all of the cranial nerves as well as the rest of the required bullets for the basis of a comprehensive neurological examination.