Neurosurgery Coding Alert

Question: Our surgeon placed a lumbar drain and this was left intact for several days. How can we report this? Our surgeon also provided follow up in this patient.

Colorado Subscriber

Answer: You describe the procedure using 62272 (Spinal puncture, therapeutic, for drainage of cerebrospinal fluid [by needle or catheter]) for placing the lumbar drain. This code carries a zero global day period. Thus, you can report any other follow-up evaluation and management service as long as you have documentation to support the service. The code for inpatient follow up can be 99231 (Subsequent hospital care, per day, for the evaluation and management of a patient, which requires at least 2 of these 3 key components ...).