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Neurosurgery Coding Alert

You Be the Coder:

Report the Intraoperative Neuromonitoring

Published on Mon Sep 05, 2011

Question: Our neurosurgeon performed the following procedures:1) Direct lateral L4-L5 diskectomy through an extracavitary lateral approach, interbody fusion L4-L5 with structural PEEK implant.2) Posterior pedicle screw nonsegmental instrumentation L4-L5 and posterolateral fusion L4-L5. 3) Intraoperative utilization of neuromonitoring of lumbar plexus with Biotronic neuromonitoring and intraoperataive O-arm fluoroscopy, Stealth navigation utilization imaging for placement of the pedicle screws.The neuromonitoring/stealth navigation is documented in the surgeon's operative note; there was an additional Operative Monitoring Report by a separate technologist. Does the surgeon have to read/monitor the computer as well as perform the probe placement in order to code for this add-on code? Or is this a procedure reported/billed by the technologist? How do I report this procedure?Nebraska SubscriberAnswer: While you may report +61783 (Stereotactic computer-assisted [navigational] procedure; spinal [List separately in addition to code for primary procedure]) for the stealth navigation using imaging for screw placement, the neuromonitoring is not reportable [...]
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