Neurosurgery Coding Alert

Reader questions:

Shunt Tap Billing During Global Is OK

Published on Sat Jan 23, 2010

Question: Can we bill a shunt tap for an inpatient within the global period for the shunt placement? If so, what should we report?

North Carolina Subscriber

Answer: Yes, you can code for a shunt tap even if it's within the shunt placement's global period. Report 61070 (Puncture of shunt tubing or reservoir for aspiration or injection procedure).

Don't miss: You should also report 75809 (Shuntogram for investigation of previously placed indwelling nonvascular shunt [e.g., Leveen shunt, ventriculoperitoneal shunt, indwelling infusion pump], radiological supervision and interpretation) for the procedure's supervision and interpretation, if the neurosurgeon performed that aspect of the service.

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