Neurosurgery Coding Alert

Descriptor details and correct counting keep you away from traps. You know how coding guidelines restrict your ability to report multiple codes during operative sessions? That isn't the case for cranial stereotactic radiosurgery, but you still need to know what codes to report and when. Use these four steps to ensure correct code selection every time. Step 1: Differentiate 'Simple' From 'Complex' CPT 2009 introduced a new code family for stereotactic radiosurgery. The number and type of lesions treated differentiate the codes: • 61796 -- Stereotactic radiosurgery (particle beam, gamma ray, or linear accelerator); 1 simple cranial lesion • +61797 -- each additional cranial lesion, simple (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure) • 61798 -- 1 complex cranial lesion • +61799 -- each additional cranial lesion, complex (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure). Your surgeon's documentation will point you toward "simple" or "complex." Complex lesions include those that [...]