Neurosurgery Coding Alert
Include Halo Adjustment in Global
Question: Is there a code for adjusting a cervical halo without anesthesia? Answer: If the surgeon made the adjustment during the post-op period, you shouldn't bill, because periodic adjustments in the office are a component of halo care.
Illinois Subscriber
Depending on how the surgeon accomplished the original procedure, you probably reported either 20661 (Application of halo, including removal; cranial) or 20664 (Application of halo, including removal, cranial, 6 or more pins placed, for thin skull osteology [e.g., pediatric patients, hydrocephalus, osteogenesis imperfecta], requiring general anesthesia). Each procedure carries a 90-day global period.
After the global period ends, you should factor halo adjustments into your E/M visits (99211-99215 for established outpatients).
Neurosurgery Coding Alert
- Want the Key to Unlock Workers' Comp Pay? Look to E Codes
Insurers often won't pay your WC claim without information about the accident or disease's cause [...] - Select 99455-99456, Not E/M Codes, for WC EvaluationsSelect 99455-99456, Not E/M Codes, for WC Evaluations
If your surgeon evaluates a patient for a workers' compensation claim, you should turn to [...] - OIG Alert:
Make Sure That Consult's Not a Transfer of Care (or Vice Versa)
Choosing an office visit when a consult is appropriate means lost revenue To avoid being [...] - Consult or Not? Take Our Quiz And Test Your Savvy
Are you still not sure what separates a consult from a transfer of care or [...] - You Be the Coder:
Two Separate Approaches = Two Aneurysms
Question: The surgeon performed a craniotomy to treat two aneurysms, one ruptured and one non-ruptured. [...] - Information Update:
Drug Pumps and Baclofen
When reporting refills for baclofen, use 95990/95991 When reporting drug refills of baclofen for an [...] - Reader Questions:
Think of 'Segments' as Bony Portion of Spine
Question: Codes 63045-63047 refer to vertebral segments. Does this identify a single vertebra, such as [...] - Reader Questions:
New Patient Not Based on Creating Medical Record
Question: When a patient presents to the office for the first time after one of [...] - Reader Questions:
Include Halo Adjustment in Global
Question: Is there a code for adjusting a cervical halo without anesthesia?
Illinois Subscriber Answer: If [...] - Reader Questions:
For Most Payers, You No Longer Need -51
Question: I notice CPT includes a modifier (-51) for "multiple procedures." I never append this [...] - Reader Questions:
Skip Anesthesia Codes for Conscious Sedation
Question: Especially when dealing with young children, our surgeon will administer conscious sedation during difficult [...]
