Neurosurgery Coding Alert

These questions solve your 63650, 63655, or 63685 dilemma. Check off the relevant info of temporary or permanent, open or closed, and reprogramming change and device type to make your coding for spinal cord stimulators (SCS) and follow-up a snap. Last month you successfully navigated your way through the documentation, medical necessity, and diagnosis requirements for a patient who's scheduled for a neurostimulator implant procedure. But the treatment doesn't stop there, so close out your claim with the best coding for surgery and follow-up care. Answer 2 Questions to Choose Implantation Code As a neurosurgical coder, you'll probably see spinal cord stimulation (SCS) for patients who have painful limb conditions, says Gregory Przybylski, MD, director of neurosurgery at the New Jersey Neuroscience Institute, JFK Medical Center in Edison. To determine the applicable implantation code, ask these questions: 1. Is this SCS placement a trial or permanent? 2. If the equipment [...]