Neurology & Pain Management Coding Alert

Question: Please suggest the best ICD-9 code for a depleted non-rechargeable lumbar spinal cord pulse generator.

Florida Subscriber

Answer: Look at 996.2 (Mechanical complication of nervous system device implant and graft) for a failed lumbar spinal cord stimulator system.

Explanation: You report code 996.2 for mechanical complications involving dorsal column stimulator, electrodes implanted in brain, peripheral nerve graft, and ventricular (communicating) shunt. For some payers, it may be helpful or required to include a secondary ICD-9 code as a dual diagnosis that represents the underlying reason the patient had the neurostimulator implanted such as CRPS, post-laminectomy syndrome, etc.