Neurosurgery Coding Alert
Syrinx Diagnosis
Question: Our physician assigned a diagnosis of "syrinx C2-T8." How should I code this? Nevada Subscriber Answer: Syringomyelia, or SM, is a rare developmental (often congenital) disorder in which cerebrospinal fluid enters the spinal cord and forms a cavity, called a syrinx, hydromyelia or syringohydromyelia. The syrinx can expand and elongate, damaging the spinal cord and the nerve fibers within it. Symptoms include loss of sensitivity, especially to hot and cold, muscle weakness and spasticity, motor impairment, loss of bowel and bladder control, and even osteoporosis and scoliosis. Many patients also have headaches and chronic pain. The appropriate ICD-9 code to describe syrinx is 336.0 (Syringomyelia and syringobulbia).
Neurosurgery Coding Alert
- Part 1:
Carefully Applying Codes and Modifiers Eases Payment for Facet Joint Injections
Recent Medicare and CPT revisions have increased confusion for physicians administering facet joint injections, especially [...] - You be the Coder:
Arthrodesis and Separate Decompression
Test your coding knowledge. Determine how you would code this situation before looking at the [...] - Medicare Update:
Retroactive Revisions Could Increase Your Payments
A recent Medicare policy decision could allow you to collect additional reimbursement for claims already [...] - Solve the Ommaya Reservoir Mystery
CPT and CMS offer conflicting views regarding the placement of an Ommaya reservoir, but a [...] - News Brief:
Look for Revised Place-of-Service Indicators in 2003
As part of CMS' proposed revisions to the 2003 Physician Fee Schedule, the agency has [...] - Reader Questions:
Decompression With Bone Graft
Question: How should I report decompression by laminectomy at L4/L5, posterior lumbar interbody fusion using [...] - Reader Questions:
Multilevel Decompression
Question: In cases of multilevel lumbar decompressions, Medicare pays for 63047 and one unit of [...] - Reader Questions:
Syrinx Diagnosis
Question: Our physician assigned a diagnosis of "syrinx C2-T8." How should I code this? Nevada [...] - Reader Questions:
Retroperitoneal Schwannoma Removal
Question: How should I report a retroperitoneal approach and resection of an L3/L4 schwannoma (benign) [...] - Reader Questions:
Team Surgery
Question: Are there any special requirements for appending modifier -66? Maine Subscriber Answer: Apply modifier [...] - Reader Questions:
Billing for Treatment to Relatives
Question: Recently, our neurosurgery practice began treating an aunt of one of the group physicians. [...]
