Neurosurgery Coding Alert
Turn to Twist Drill/Burr Hole for Monitor Placement
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 handheld device), report 61107 (Twist drill hole[s] for subdural, intracerebral, or ventricular puncture; for implanting ventricular catheter, pressure recording device, or other intracerebral monitoring device). If the surgeon uses a power burr or similar instrument to create the hole(s), instead report 61210 (Burr hole[s]; for implanting ventricular catheter, reservoir, EEG electrode[s], pressure recording device, or other cerebral monitoring device [separate procedure]). Technical and coding guidance for You Be the Coder and Reader Questions provided by Gregory Przybylski, MD, director of neurosurgery at the New Jersey Neuroscience Institute, JFK Medical Center in Edison.
Neurosurgery Coding Alert
- Look for These Terms to Keep Laminotomy Straight From Laminectomy
These -occasional- modifiers let you report both procedures at the same level. You can stop [...] - You Be the Coder:
Abbott Allograft Bone for ACDF
Question: Our neurosurgeon used "Abbott" allograft bone for an anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF). [...] - CCI 15.0 Update:
Include New Radiosurgery Code as Part of 20 Neuro Procedures
Tip: Adhere to new arthroplasty bundles by following CPT guidelines. Don't panic when you see [...] - News You Can Use:
Medicare Lowers Conversion Factor to $36.0666 for 2009
But you won't feel as much of a crunch, thanks to a budget neutrality adjustment. [...] - Reader Questions:
Count Fluoro As Part of the Major Procedure
Question: When our surgeon performs spinal fusions, he often dictates the use of fluoroscopic guidance [...] - Reader Questions:
Use Unlisted for Stabbing in the Back
Question: We have a patient who was stabbed in the back, and my doctor removed [...] - Reader Questions:
Define 'Mutually Exclusive' and 'Bundled'
Question: Would you explain what the differences are between mutually exclusive and "column 1/column 2" [...] - Reader Questions:
Draw the Line Between Segmental, Nonsegmental
Question: How can I determine segmental from nonsegmental spinal instrumentation? North Dakota Subscriber Answer: For [...] - Reader Questions:
Post-Op Care Includes Halo Adjustments
Question: How can we code for adjusting a cervical halo without using anesthesia? Indiana Subscriber
[...] - Reader Questions:
Turn to Twist Drill/Burr Hole for Monitor Placement
Question: What is the correct code for placement of right frontal Camino intracranial pressure monitor?Arizona [...]
