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Neurology & Pain Management Coding Alert

Reader Questions:

Choose 723.8 for Occipital Neuralgia

Published on Sun Jun 08, 2008

Question: Can I code specifically for an occipital headache, or do I have to code for just a regular headache? Wisconsin Subscriber Answer: You should code only to your neurologist's specific documentation. For example, if the neurologist documents "occipital neuralgia," which is symptomatic with pain at the back of the head, you should use 723.8 (Other syndromes affecting cervical region). If the neurologist only documents an occipital headache, you should use 784.0 (Headache).
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