Neurosurgery Coding Alert

Question: What is the correct code for infratentorial craniectomy to excise a brain tumor?

Montana Subscriber

Answer: You’re going to need to check the notes once more in order to confirm the right fit for this encounter. You’ll report 61518 (Craniectomy for excision of brain tumor, infratentorial or posterior fossa; except meningioma, cerebellopontine angle tumor, or midline tumor at base of skull) for the craniectomy — unless the provider excises one of the following tumor types:

• Meningioma
• Cerebellopontine angle tumor
• Midline tumor at base of skull.

If encounter notes specify one of the three tumors specified above, you’ll choose one of the following codes:

• 61519 (… meningioma)
• 61520 (… cerebellopontine angle tumor)
• 61521 (… midline tumor at base of skull).