CPT^® 61518, Under Craniectomy or Craniotomy Procedures

The Current Procedural Terminology (CPT^®) code 61518 as maintained by American Medical Association, is a medical procedural code under the range - Craniectomy or Craniotomy Procedures.

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Summary

In this procedure, the provider removes a portion of skull bone and excises a brain tumor present below the tentorium cerebelli, a fold of dura mater separating the cerebellum from the occipital and temporal lobe. Alternately, the tumor may be present in the posterior fossa, a small space in the lower back portion of the brain near the brain stem. This procedure is not done for a meningioma, cerebellopontine angle tumor, or midline tumor at base of skull.

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61510 and 61518 HELP

My physician is stating we should bill 61510 and 61518 because of two separate craniotomy incisions. However, i billed 61518 w/22 mod. Any thoughts or guidelines you guys can direct me to? What are yo... [ Read More ]

Brain Stem tumor

Without seeing the note it is hard to determine the most appropriate code but I do agree that 61518 is a good starting point.... [ Read More ]

Brain Stem tumor

I am looking for the best craniotomy code for resection of brain stem tumor, it is infratentorial but not CP angle. My initial thought is CPT 61518, suggestions would be appreciated.... [ Read More ]

61518 or 61584

Hi CPT 61584 deals only with the approach procedure i.e., trans-orbital. Surgeries at base of skull involves the method of approach, surgery proper (excision, biopsy, etc) and reconstruction. So CPT... [ Read More ]

61518 or 61584

Good morning, I am torn between two codes on how to code this procedure I am leaning more towards 61518 any help would be greatly appreciated. see op note below nature of operatin: left sided fronto... [ Read More ]

Help - with this surgery

Could someone please help me with this surgery? The physician and I are having major differences of opinions over how this should be coded. He coded it as 61684, surgery of infracranial AV malformat... [ Read More ]

Neurosurgery - Can I code for both a craniotomy

Was there any mention that the bone flap was replaced? Or is this the entire report? [B]61510[/B]-The physician removes a flap of bone from the skull to access and remove a brain tumor located undern... [ Read More ]

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