Neurosurgery Coding Alert
Reader Questions:
Skip Multiple Fluoroscopy Units
Published on Wed Apr 09, 2008
Question: When the surgeon uses fluoroscopy for more than an hour (for instance, during a major spine surgery), can I claim multiple units of 76000? Colorado Subscriber Answer: No, you should not report multiple units of 76000 (Fluoroscopy [separate procedure], up to one hour physician time, other than 71023 or 71034 [e.g., cardiac fluoroscopy]) for multiple-hour fluoroscopy. Rather, report a single unit of 76000 if the physician provides fluoroscopy for 60 or fewer minutes. Payers typically bundle intraoperative imaging with fluoroscopy for spinal localization or placement of fixation.
Other Articles in this issue of
Neurosurgery Coding Alert
- If You're Treating 61793 as a Once-and-Done Code, You're Missing Out
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Question: The surgeon removed a subdural hematoma via craniectomy. Rather than reattach the bone flap, [...] - Reader Questions:
Brush Up on Your CCI Lingo
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Use Paper as a Backup for Modifier 22 Claims
Question: Must I always file modifier 22 claims manually? Is there an easier and faster [...] - Reader Questions:
Endoscopy Includes Access
Question: If our surgeon uses a neuroendoscope, for instance for dissection of adhesions (62161), may [...] - Reader Questions:
2 Surgeons, 2 Procedures = Separate Coding
Question: Our neurosurgeon performs craniofacial surgeries with a plastic surgeon. The plastic surgeon bills 21175, [...] - Reader Questions:
Skip Multiple Fluoroscopy Units
Question: When the surgeon uses fluoroscopy for more than an hour (for instance, during a [...] - Reader Questions:
Laminectomy/Biopsy Code Depends on Path Results
Question: Our surgeon performed an L4, L5, S1 laminectomy to take several biopsies. What is [...]
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