Neurosurgery Coding Alert

Question: My neurosurgeon analyzed an electrocorticogram recording from a previously placed brain neurostimulator pulse generator. He interpreted the results and prepared the written report. Which CPT^® code should I report for this procedure? And, is it true?

California Subscriber

Answer: You should report 95836 (Electrocorticogram from an implanted brain neurostimulator pulse generator/ transmitter, including recording, with interpretation and written report, up to 30 days) for this procedure. And, yes, you can report 95836 only once per 30 days. The physician must document the dates encompassed by this 30-day period in his report.

ECoG defined: “Code 95836 describes recording of ECoG from electrodes chronically implanted on or in the brain,” according to the CPT^® guidelines. “Chronically implanted electrodes allow for intracranial recordings to continue after the patient has been discharged from the hospital. Code 95836 includes unattended ECoG recording with storage for later review and interpretation during a single 30-day period.”

Don’t miss: You should never report 95836 in conjunction with 95957 (Digital analysis of electroencephalogram (EEG) (eg, for epileptic spike analysis)), per the CPT^® guidelines.