Neurosurgery Coding Alert

Reader questions:

Check out bone excision for bony inion removal

Published on Mon Nov 23, 2009

Question: Our neurosurgeon plans to remove a prominent inion by drilling. I can't find a procedure code that applies. What are my best options?

New Hampshire Subscriber

Answer: Unless there is a pathological lesion in the bone, your best choices are unlisted procedure codes 64999 (Unlisted procedure, nervous system) or 21499 (Unlisted musculoskeletal procedure, head). If your surgeon excises a lesion, then 61500 (Craniectomy; with excision of tumor or other bone lesion of skull) would be applicable.