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Neurosurgery Coding Alert

Reader Questions:

Turn to Twist Drill/Burr Hole for Monitor Placement

Published on Sat Jan 22, 2005

Question: What is the correct code for placement of right frontal Camino intracranial pressure monitor?

Arizona Subscriber Answer: The answer depends on the method the surgeon used to place the pressure monitor.
 
If the surgeon uses a twist drill (a hand-held device), report 61107 (Twist drill hole for subdural or ventricular puncture; for implanting ventricular catheter or pressure recording device). If the surgeon uses a power burr or similar instrument to create the hole(s), report instead 61210 (Burr hole[s]; for implanting ventricular catheter, reservoir, EEG electrode[s] or pressure recording device [separate procedure]).  - Clinical and coding expertise for You Be the Coder and Reader Questions provided by Eric Sandhusen, CHC, CPC, Director of Billing and Fiscal Compliance for the Columbia University Department of Surgery.
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