Neurosurgery Coding Alert
Communicate Hydrocephalus to Payers
Question: What is the appropriate diagnosis code for normal-pressure hydrocephalus (NPH)?
New York Subscriber
Answer: You should use ICD-9 code 331.3 (Communicating hydrocephalus) to report NPH. NPH and communicating hydrocephalus are both caused by the cerebrospinal fluid not being absorbed, and they are really the same thing. Thus, you would use 331.3 to report the disease regardless of the terminology your doctor uses.
Your neurosurgeon may perform one or more of the following diagnostic procedures to screen for NPH: ultrasound, computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, lumbar puncture or tap, continuous lumbar CSF drainage, intracranial pressure monitoring, measurement of cerebrospinal fluid outflow resistance or isotopic cisternography, and neuropsychological testing.
Neurosurgery Coding Alert
- 5 Tips Help Cement Your Percutaneous Vertebroplasty-Versus-Kyphoplasty Coding
Be sure to report radiological guidance to capture the reimbursement you deserve
With the addition of [...] - Call on 25 for Same-Day Service and Significant E/M
Separate documentation must stress the E/M's distinct nature
If you expect reimbursement from insurers, any E/M [...] - You Be the Coder:
Stick With Level 5 When Appending Modifier 21
Question: Our surgeon performed a level-four E/M service on a new patient last week. The [...] - Quick Quiz:
Get Up to Speed on the 2006 CPT Changes
Test yourself with these 6 questions about the edits, deletions and additions If you-re still [...] - READER QUESTIONS:
Let Location Guide Your Skull-Base Surgery Coding
Question: My doctor performed a skull-base surgery on a patient to remove a lesion. His [...] - READER QUESTIONS:
Communicate Hydrocephalus to Payers
Question: What is the appropriate diagnosis code for normal-pressure hydrocephalus (NPH)?
New York Subscriber
Answer: [...] - READER QUESTIONS:
Report Services Regardless of Expected Payment
Question: Should we bill exactly the same group of codes to all payers, or can [...] - READER QUESTIONS:
Neoplasm Makes the Difference With 63270, 63275
Question: My doctor states he did hemilaminectomy with resection of extradural mass located at C7-T1. [...] - READER QUESTIONS:
Ancillary Staff May Perform History Review
Question: Does the neurosurgeon have to take a patient's history, or can a nurse or [...]
