Neurosurgery Coding Alert

Question: The neurosurgeon performs a craniectomy with electrode array implantation on the globus pallidus of a patient with a diagnosis of familial motor neuron disease. During the procedure, they also implanted two extra arrays for a grand total of three. Notes indicate that the surgeon used microelectrode recording during the procedure. How should I report this encounter?

Indiana Subscriber

Answer: On this claim, report:

• 61867 (Twist drill, burr hole, craniotomy, or craniectomy with stereotactic implantation of neurostimulator electrode array in subcortical site (eg, thalamus, globus pallidus, subthalamic nucleus, periventricular, periaqueductal gray), with use of intraoperative microelectrode recording; first array) for the first array.
• +61868 (… each additional array (List separately in addition to primary procedure)) x 2 for the second and third arrays.
• G12.24 (Familial motor neuron disease) appended to 61867 and +61868 x 2 to represent the patient’s motor neuron disease.