Neurosurgery Coding Alert

Reader Questions:

Post-Op Care Includes Halo Adjustments

Question: How can we code for adjusting a cervical halo without using anesthesia? Indiana Subscriber
Answer: You can't report halo adjustments separately. 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 has a 90-day global period. Periodic adjustments in the office are a component of halo care and are included in the global period. When the global period ends, you should factor halo adjustments when deciding on an appropriate E/M level (99211-99215 for established outpatients).
You’ve reached your limit of free articles. Already a subscriber? Log in.
Not a subscriber? Subscribe today to continue reading this article. Plus, you’ll get:
  • Simple explanations of current healthcare regulations and payer programs
  • Real-world reporting scenarios solved by our expert coders
  • Industry news, such as MAC and RAC activities, the OIG Work Plan, and CERT reports
  • Instant access to every article ever published in Revenue Cycle Insider
  • 6 annual AAPC-approved CEUs
  • The latest updates for CPT®, ICD-10-CM, HCPCS Level II, NCCI edits, modifiers, compliance, technology, practice management, and more

Other Articles in this issue of

Neurosurgery Coding Alert

View All

Which Codify by AAPC tool is right for you?

Call 844-334-2816 to speak with a Codify by AAPC specialist now.