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Neurology & Pain Management Coding Alert

Crack Botulinum Coding in 5 Steps

Published on Mon Oct 04, 2010

This rule let you capture extra 64614 unit. When your neurologist uses botulinum toxin to treat symptoms of neurological disorders like palsy or multiple sclerosis, are you tempted to use CPT 96372 (Therapeutic, prophylactic, or diagnostic injection (specify substance or drug); subcutaneous or intramuscular)? The AMA has a different answer. Refine and clarify your botulinum coding for success using this action plan. 1: Ditch 96372 as Botox Admin Code Code 96372 is the proper code to use for injections such as Decadron, vitamin B12, or Benadryl, but not Botulinum. It is sometimes misunderstood by neurology coders, who mistake the toxin for a highly complex drug in the 964xx series, says Marianne Wink, RHIT, CPC, ACS-EM, with the University of Rochester Medical Center in New York. Once you axe 96372 from your botulinum lexicon, you're prepared to find the best coding option for use of this substance. 2: Bill Botulinum on [...]
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