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Neurology & Pain Management Coding Alert

Reader Question:

Look to Spinal Tap for Lumbar Drain

Published on Tue Oct 09, 2007

Question: I can't find a code in CPT to describe placement of a lumbar drain. Should I use an unlisted-procedure code such as 22899? Texas Subscriber Answer: You are probably having a hard time finding the code because CPT terminology for this procedure doesn't match the language physicians use to describe lumbar drain placement. The correct code is 62272 (Spinal puncture, therapeutic, for drainage of cerebrospinal fluid [by needle or catheter]). Because CPT lists a dedicated code for this procedure, you should not report an unlisted-procedure code such as 22899 (Unlisted procedure, spine) or 64999 (Unlisted procedure, nervous system).
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