Neurosurgery Coding Alert
Continuous Infusion Pain Pumps
There are now several such devices available, including the On-Q Pain Management System, the Pain Buster Pain Management System, the Don Joy Pain Pump, and the Stryker Pain Pump.
Manufacturers claim several advantages for these pumps, including faster patient recovery; continuous and on-demand, narcotic-free pain relief; and prolonged post-operative analgesia as compared to a single injection.
Neurosurgery Coding Alert
- Look to New Category III T Codes for Artificial Disk Procedures
Continue to treat decompression as a separate procedure
You now have nine new codes to choose [...] - What's the Purpose of Category III Codes?
When a category III code exists to describe a service or procedure, you must use [...] - Use 4 Steps for Reporting PA Assisits at Surgery
Avoid modifier AS in teaching hospitals
If your surgeon uses a physician assistant (PA) to help [...] - You Be the Coder:
What Service Does 61795 Describe?
Question: Is 61795 for intraoperative navigation, or for planning prior to surgery?
Kansas Subscriber
Answer: Code +61795 [...] - Physician Assistants 101:
What You Need to Know
PAs are licensed healthcare professionals who may, under a physician's supervision, practice medicine in any [...] - Get Pain Pump Claims On-Track With Continuous Infusion Codes
Payers may refuse coverage, so ask the patient to sign an ABN
If you're looking for [...] - The Basics:
Continuous Infusion Pain Pumps
Continuous infusion pain pumps as described by 64416, 64446, 64448 and 64449 provide a constant [...] - READER QUESTIONS:
22630 Forms the Basis of PLIF
Question: Which code (or codes) should I use to report PLIF without posterolateral fusion at [...] - READER QUESTIONS:
Report Arthrodesis per Interspace, Not per Level
Question: The surgeon performed anterior fusion from L1 to L3. We reported one unit of [...] - READER QUESTIONS:
Reduced Craniectomy Warrants 52
Question: Our surgeon removed a basal cell carcinoma that extended below the skin to the [...] - READER QUESTIONS:
Corpectomy Includes Diskectomy
Question: When reporting corpectomy, can I bill separately for the decompression/diskectomy above and below the [...] - READER QUESTIONS:
Racz Procedures=Lysis of Spinal Adhesions
Question: What is the appropriate code to describe a Racz procedure?
Missouri Subscriber
Answer: You should [...] - READER QUESTIONS:
22851 Is the Way for PEEK
Question: What is "PEEK" and how can I code for it?
New Jersey Subscriber
Answer: "PEEK" [...]
