Neurology & Pain Management Coding Alert

The November issue of Neurology Coding Alert (page 81) incorrectly stated that electroencephalogram (EEG) procedures 95950-95953 must be performed under the direct supervision of a physician, by a physical therapist with ABPTS certification or by a technician with certification under general supervision. Rather, 95950-95953 must be performed under the general supervision of a physician in all cases. Per CMS guidelines, this means the procedure "is furnished under the physician's overall direction and control but that the physician's presence is not required during the performance of the test. The physician remains responsible for the non-physician personnel performing the procedure."

A typographical error (page 82) listed the codes for EEG awake and drowsy/awake and asleep as 95916/ 95919. The correct codes for these procedures are 95816 and 95819, respectively.

In addition, a fifth digit of 0 (Without mention of intractable epilepsy) or 1 (With intractable epilepsy, so stated) is not appropriate for ICD-9 classification 345.3 (Grand mal status). Rather, the fifth digit is appropriate for classifications 345.0 (Generalized nonconvulsive epilepsy), 345.1 (Generalized convulsive epilepsy) and 345.4-345.9 only.