Neurosurgery Coding Alert
Apply Modifier 51 Only when Billing 63662 with 63688
Question: A patient presented to the operating room (OR) for the removal of a spinal neurostimulator electrode plate inserted during a previous laminotomy. Additionally, the surgeon removed a previously implanted spinal cord stimulator. Can I bill these two procedures together? If so, what CPT® codes should I apply? California Subscriber Answer: You will want to code 63662 (Removal of spinal neurostimulator electrode plate/paddle[s] placed via laminotomy or laminectomy, including fluoroscopy, when performed) for the removal of the electrode plate and 63688 (Revision or removal of implanted spinal neurostimulator pulse generator or receiver) for the removal of the spinal cord stimulator. A National Correct Coding Initiative (NCCI) edit check shows that you can bill 63662 and 63688 together without the use of an overriding modifier. You will, however, want to apply modifier 51 (Multiple procedures) to the procedure code with the fewer relative value units (RVUs) attached. In this case, you would apply modifier 51 to 63688 since it has 10.71 RVUs, as compared to 63662’s 24.33 RVUs.
Neurosurgery Coding Alert
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Apply Modifier 51 Only when Billing 63662 with 63688
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