Neurosurgery Coding Alert

Version 7.3 of the Correct Coding Initiative (CCI) has been released on behalf of CMS by the National Technical Information Service (NTIS) and will remain in effect from Oct. 1 to Dec. 31, 2001.
 
Like version 7.2, the latest CCI contains relatively few changes: Over 400 new bundles have been added. No code combinations have been deleted. Changes specific to neurosurgery are correspondingly small.
 
Percutaneous vertebroplasty procedures (22520, thoracic; and 22521, lumbar) now bundle stereotactic computer-assisted navigation, 61795. Therefore, the neurosurgeon may no longer bill separately for computer-assisted navigation during vertebroplasty. The edit includes a superscript indicator of "1," meaning modifier -59 (distinct procedural service) may be appended to 61795 to override the edit if the computer-assisted navigation is performed at a different anatomical site on the same day as the vertebroplasty.
 
Injection procedures for myelography and diskography (62284 and 62290-62292) include the associated anesthesia codes (01906-01914). These edits include a superscript indicator of "0" and may not be unbundled by any modifier.
 
Providers are expected to observe CCI bundles for Medicare payers beginning on the effective date for each version. Although private payers are not bound to observe CCI edits, many do, either in whole or in part. Check with individual payers before billing.
 
Note: The CCI is available by subscription from the NTIS in print or as a CD-ROM in searchable (.pdf) format. Contact NTIS (1-800-363-2068 or www.ntis.gov/products/hcfa.htm) for more information. A document that will help you interpret changes is also available for free to subscribers on our Web site at codinginstitute.com/docs, document 25.