Neurosurgery Coding Alert
Is Ultrasound OK With Craniotomy?
Michigan Subscriber
Answer: Yes, you can report intraoperative ultrasounds using 76986 (Ultrasonic guidance, intra-operative) at the same time as a craniotomy.
Remember: If the surgeon provides the ultrasound in a facility setting or uses equipment he does not own, you must append modifier 26 (Professional component) to 76986. The facility will bill separately for the technical component of the ultrasound (in other words., payment for use of its equipment) using 76986-TC.
Keep in mind: Some facilities have a rule whereby the radiologist alone can report the interpretation. In this case, the surgeon cannot report a second interpretation using 76986.
Neurosurgery Coding Alert
- Dispel 3 Spine Coding Myths at the Root of Reduced Reimbursement
Good news: You can report instrumentation removal during repeat fusions
A surgeon performs both posterior and [...] - Combine Excision and Evacuation (Most of the Time)
Use location modifiers to help to differentiate surgical sites
When your surgeon performs brain tumor excision [...] - Purge Your Prejudice Against ICD-9 V Codes
V codes can provide diagnostic info. for non-acute conditions
If your neurosurgery practice shuns V codes [...] - You Be the Coder:
Is Ultrasound OK With Craniotomy?
Question: May we report ultrasound guidance in addition to craniotomy?
Michigan Subscriber
Answer: Yes, you can [...] - READER QUESTIONS:
Don't Forget 24 With Critical Care
Question: My local Medicare payer has recently started denying critical care services, saying they are [...] - READER QUESTIONS:
Obesity May Complicate Spine Surgery
Question: Recently, our surgeon performed spinal fusion (22630) on an extremely obese patient. The surgeon [...] - READER QUESTIONS:
Multiple Grafts Are Allowable
Question: Can we bill separately for multiple bone grafts during a single session? For example, [...] - READER QUESTIONS:
Pituitary Resection Calls for Co-Surgeons
Question: Our surgeon is scheduled to perform endoscopic resection of a pituitary tumor. An ENT [...] - READER QUESTIONS:
Medicare May Not Pay for Certain Bone Grafts
Question: Are bone graft procedures 20930 and 20936 bundled with arthrodesis procedures 22612 and 22630? [...] - READER QUESTONS:
Shunt Tap Calls for Puncture Code
Question: How should I code for a shunt tap?
Nebraska Subscriber
Answer: For a shunt tap, [...] - READER QUESTIONS:
You Supply Evidence for Unlisted Procedure Pay
Question: How do insurers determine reimbursement when you report an unlisted procedure code? Can our [...]
