Advanced Search

Revenue Cycle Insider

Neurosurgery Coding:

CPT® 2026: New Spinal, Imaging Codes Take Center Stage

Published on Thu Sep 25, 2025

You’ve reached your limit of free articles. Already a subscriber? Log in.

Not a subscriber? Subscribe today to continue reading this article. Plus, you’ll get:

Simple explanations of current healthcare regulations and payer programs
Real-world reporting scenarios solved by our expert coders
Industry news, such as MAC and RAC activities, the OIG Work Plan, and CERT reports
Instant access to every article ever published in Revenue Cycle Insider
6 annual AAPC-approved CEUs
The latest updates for CPT®, ICD-10-CM, HCPCS Level II, NCCI edits, modifiers, compliance, technology, practice management, and more

Other Articles of

September 2025

Optometry/Ophthalmology Coding:
Keep Your Strabismus Diagnosis Coding From Getting Crossed Up
Learn the difference between hypertropia and hypotropia. Strabismus, commonly known as crossed eyes or misalignment [...]

Anesthesia Coding:
Rely on These Codes for Obstetric Anesthesia Services
There are 4 core and 2 add-on codes to remember. Anesthesia providers play a crucial [...]

Anesthesia Coding:
Aim for Specificity for Coding Anesthesia During Lithotripsy
Question: Which CPT® codes might be appropriate for reporting anesthesia services performed during a lithotripsy [...]

General Coding:
Understand Laterality Modifiers
Question: I’m new to coding and am having trouble understanding when to use modifiers that [...]

Technology & Innovation:
Prepare for RTM/RPM Changes in the 2026 CPT® Code Set
Make sure treatment management services are performed in real time. The 2026 AMA CPT® code [...]

Technology & Innovation:
Are AI Codes in the 2026 CPT® Code Book?
Question: Will the 2026 CPT® code book include any more codes that use artificial intelligence [...]

Podiatry Coding:
Take These 5 Steps to Get the Digits Right and Code Hammertoes
Learn which modifiers to append to your claim. A hammertoe is a deformity of a [...]

Diagnostic Radiology Coding:
Strengthen Your Spinal MRI Coding Knowledge
Pay attention to region and contrast for accurate coding. The spine is one of the [...]

Technology & Innovation:
Lure Cyberattackers in With AI-Powered Honeypots
Question: I keep reading articles about how healthcare systems should prepare for a cyberattack with [...]

Diagnostic Radiology Coding:
Find Out How to Report Fluoroscopy That Lasts Past 1 Hour
Question: We have a radiology report where the radiologist performed fluoroscopy during a procedure for [...]

Podiatry Coding:
Learn How to Code a Morton’s Neuroma Excision
Question: I have an op note that describes the removal of a Morton’s neuroma. I’m [...]

Anesthesia Coding:
Focus on Anatomy to Choose Upper, Lower GI Codes
Question: When coding anesthesia services for endoscopic gastrointestinal procedures, what’s the delineation between upper and [...]

Neurology Coding:
Use Specific Dystonia Code, if Possible
Question: A patient is diagnosed with familial torsion dystonia. I can’t find this condition in [...]

Urology Coding:
Remember a 7th Character When Citing Urethral Injury
Question: I have a urology report where the physician diagnosed the patient with acute urinary [...]

Urology Coding:
Learn if TURBT Includes a Biopsy Procedure
Question: I have an op note for a transurethral resection of a bladder tumor (TURBT). [...]

Podiatry Coding:
Who’s Responsible for Sequencing Multiple Diagnosis Codes?
Question: When a physician makes multiple diagnoses on a patient during an encounter, is the [...]

Pediatric Coding:
Get Comfortable Coding These Common Back-to-School Conditions
Hint: Remember to add supplementary testing codes when necessary. Now that children have returned to [...]

Gastroenterology Coding:
How Should I Report Barrett’s Esophagus With or Without Dysplasia?
Question: Our gastroenterologist frequently screens patients with chronic gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) symptoms for Barrett’s [...]

Gastroenterology Coding:
Know How to Code a Ruptured Appendix With Open Conversion
Question: During a laparoscopic appendectomy for a patient presenting with classic signs of appendicitis (including [...]

Otolaryngology Coding:
Know the Signs, Code the Symptoms, for This Negative Strep Test Service
Question: A pediatric patient presented to our office with extremely enlarged tonsils, vomiting, fever, and [...]

Otolaryngology Coding:
Determine Sinuses Affected Before Assigning Dx in This Recurrent Sinusitis Encounter
Question: A patient came to our office complaining of headaches, facial pain, and nasal congestion [...]

Medicare Regulations:
Incorporate These Revised Medicare Signature Requirements
Question: We are reviewing policies and procedures to ensure we are compliant with Centers for [...]

Medicare Regulations:
SBIRT Services Expanded for Medicare
Take a quick look at what’s new. In a July 2025 MLN Connects newsletter, [...]

Neurology & Pain Management Coding:
Cover Your Bases by Knowing Parkinson’s Treatment Stages
Patient could report for diagnostic testing, surgical implant, or therapy. When a potential Parkinson’s patient [...]

General Surgery Coding:
Get the Answers to 4 FAQs on Hernia Repair
Hint: The reason for the mesh removal determines the code. Hernia repairs are a frequent [...]

Urology Coding:
Bolster Your BPH Coding Knowledge With This Helpful Guide
Learn which BPH procedure will receive a permanent code in 2026. Chances are a male [...]

ICD-10-CM Coding:
How to Accurately Code Osteoarthritis Diagnoses in Orthopedics
Question: My ortho doctor sees many patients with osteoarthritis (OA), especially in the hip and [...]

General Coding:
Count on Pathology Report for Correct Lesion Excision
Question: I’m coding a lesion removal. The provider submitted part of the lesion to pathology [...]

Neurosurgery Coding:
CPT® 2026: New Spinal, Imaging Codes Take Center Stage
Also, remember to note revisions and T code additions. The CPT® 2026 code list is [...]

General Coding:
Find Information on CPT®, HCPCS Code Updates
A new quarter and a new year are approaching, and that means code sets are [...]

E/M Coding:
Determine New vs. Established Patient for E/M Coding
Question: Our providers sometimes request that we bill a new patient evaluation and management (E/M) [...]

E/M Coding:
Know When to Use Modifier 25 With a Minor Procedure
Question: I often see providers performing minor procedures (like lesion removals or joint injections) and [...]

Orthopedic Coding:
Recognize RA Diagnosis Codes and Surgical Procedures
Examine and learn how to report real-world examples. Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic autoimmune disease [...]

Pulmonology Coding:
Master Pleural Effusion Coding Rules to Ensure Your Claims Are Compliant
Learn common coding errors and how to fix them. Pleural effusion, the abnormal accumulation of [...]

General Surgery Coding:
Solve This Pilonidal Cyst Scenario
Question: Hello, I need help finding the procedure code for a pilonidal cyst debridement. The [...]

Cardiology Coding:
Follow Documentation, Guidelines for Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation
Question: I’ve been seeing paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (A.fib) diagnoses all over the place — far [...]

Oncology/Hematology Coding:
Connect to This Leiomyosarcoma Code
Question: I am trying to code leiomyosarcoma (LMS) of the sigmoid colon. I have found documentation [...]

Primary Care Coding:
Add Injection-Only Codes For Allergy Season
Question: We have a patient who receives their allergy medication from an online source to [...]

Practice Management:
Using Personal Laptops Could Prove Problematic
Question: Our office is looking to cut costs but also allow employees to work remotely [...]

Emergency Department Coding:
Check Paralysis Status Before Choosing ICD-10-CM Code
Question: If a patient suffers from “lower paraparesis NOS,” what ICD-10-CM code should I choose [...]

Pediatric Coding:
Don’t Overstuff This Brief Visit
Question: How should I code the following? An established patient was brought into the office [...]

Oncology/Hematology Coding:
Follow this Beginners Guide to IMRT Coding
And make note of the 2026 code and technology changes. Caveats live and breathe within [...]

Pulmonology Coding:
Evaluate Your EBUS Code Options
Question: I’m new to pulmonology and could use some help with this case. The pulmonologist [...]

Pulmonology Coding:
Don’t Fret About Reporting Stress Tests for Dyspnea
Question: I have a report that states the pulmonologist performed pulmonary stress testing and diagnosed [...]

Emergency Department Coding:
Get Your Documentation Straight for TPI Claims
Question: What CPT® codes should I report for this encounter? Also, I know that this [...]

E/M Coding:
The Documentation Divide: What Separates a 99213 from a 99214
Shoring up your coding with documentation can prevent payer downcoding in acute illness encounters. As [...]

Neurology & Pain Management Coding:
Delve Into Syndrome Symptoms for This Chronic Pain Dx
Question: If a patient has chronic pain syndrome, how is that different from a more [...]

Oncology/Hematology Coding:
Understand Drug Toxicity Monitoring for High-Risk MDM
Question: According to the Risk of Complications element of the CPT® medical decision making (MDM) [...]

Optometry/Ophthalmology Coding:
Learn How to Report an Eyelid Laceration Repair
Question: I have a report documenting the repair of a upper right eyelid laceration as [...]

Optometry/Ophthalmology Coding:
Dig the Diurnal Curve Testing Code Out of the CPT® Code Book
Question: Our ophthalmologist evaluated intraocular pressures (IOPs) over 12 hours and documented the measurements. The [...]

Path/Lab Coding:
Get the Answers to All Your Digital Pathology Digitization Procedure Code Questions
Learn why reporting them is in your long-term best interests. The digital pathology digitization procedure [...]

Orthopedic Coding:
Evaluate Your Options to Report Multiple 28485 Units
Question: I need help with billing multiple units of 28485-LT. We reported the following CPT® [...]

General Surgery Coding:
Cut the Guesswork From This Gastrostomy Tubing Case
Question: Our surgeon performed a percutaneous replacement of a gastrostomy tube. During the procedure, the surgeon [...]

Compliance:
File Paper Records Safely Away Permanently
Question: Because our clinic is relocating in a few months, we are working on digitalizing all [...]

Practice Management:
Prize Boxes and Other Incentives: What You Need to Know
Thread the needle on prizes that are fun for kids, tolerable for adults, and compliant [...]

Practice Management:
Clear Up Illegible Signatures Ahead of Time
Question: There are a few practitioners at our clinic with terrible handwriting and signatures that [...]

Primary Care:
Be Ready for a Return to Prepandemic Telehealth Rules
Requirements regarding originating and distant sites may now determine payment. Telehealth is a boon to [...]

Neurosurgery Coding:
Count Segments to Code Laminectomy Properly
Question: How should I code the following encounter? A patient with lumbar stenosis without neurogenic [...]

Compliance:
Protect Your Practice by Considering These Compliance Tips
Adding helpful websites to your favorites may save you later. Colleen Gianatasio, MHS, CPC, CPC-P, [...]

Primary Care:
Use This Modifier for This Common Patient Situation
Question: Our office saw a patient that is a Medicare beneficiary. According to the provider’s [...]

Pediatric Coding:
Improve Your Insight on Eating Disorders
Question: Can you explain the difference between the three different codes related to binging and [...]

Orthopedic Coding:
Use a Joint Code for a Thumb Ligament Sprain
Question: I have a report with a diagnosis of a traumatic ulnar collateral ligament sprain [...]

In Case You Missed It (RCI Bonus Content):
Check Out Medicare’s 2025-2026 Payments for Flu Vaccines
And don’t forget to add those administration codes. On Aug. 13, 2025, the Centers for [...]

Diagnostic Radiology Coding:
Can You Report Pelvis X-rays Separately From 73502?
Question: A 72-year-old patient presented to an imaging clinic with complaints of low back and [...]

Path/Lab Coding:
Code This Lab by Specimen, Not Procedure
Question: I am trying to figure out the correct CPT® code for this specimen. The [...]

Emergency Department Coding:
5 Tips Lead to Stress-Free Wrist and Forearm Closed Fracture Coding
Hint: Don’t forget to consider using modifiers 54 and 57 when warranted. Most fractures treated [...]

Path/Lab Coding:
Use Pathologist Findings for This Definitive Dx Code
Question: Are we as coders allowed to code from the lab results? The ordering physician puts [...]

Otolaryngology Coding:
Listen to This Ear Condition Coding Advice, Part 2
Here are all the codes you need for hearing tests and hearing loss conditions. Last [...]

ICD-10-CM Coding:
Find Out Information on Side Dominance for I69-
Question: A provider documents a patient having hemiplegia after a stroke but doesn’t specify which [...]

Compliance:
Decide on This Date of Service Confusion
Question: We have a provider who saw a patient and recommended surgical intervention. The practitioner [...]

Medicare Regulations:
Attack Financial and Operational Impact of Denials
Question: I’ve read that the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is increasingly targeting [...]

Cardiology:
Myth-Busting Guide: Rhythm and Routine ECG Coding for Medical Coders
Do not use 93040-93042 to report review of telemetry strips. Electrocardiogram (ECG/EKG) coding seems straightforward [...]

Ob-Gyn Coding:
Bust 5 Adhesiolysis Coding Myths: When You Can Report It Separately
Think lysis of adhesions is always bundled? Think again. Lysis of adhesions is one of [...]

Ob-Gyn Coding:
Pinpoint the Correct CPT® Code for Induction
Question: I’m having a hard time choosing the correct code for this situation. Intrauterine death [...]

Ob-Gyn Coding:
Use Unlisted Code For JADA® System Removal
Question: How should I bill for JADA® removal? Should I use an unlisted code? If [...]

Gastroenterology Coding:
Crack the Code on ERCP: Demystifying 43261-43265 & 43275-43278
Get the clarity you need to confidently code ERCP procedures and secure proper reimbursement. If [...]

Cardiology Coding:
Does Stent Placement Matter for Angioplasty Code?
Question: A patient was taken emergently to the cardiac catheterization lab due to an acute myocardial [...]

Neurosurgery Coding:
Document Myalgia Dx With Future in Mind
Question: If a patient suffers from myalgia, how do I choose an ICD-10-CM code? I’m new [...]

ICD-10-CM Coding:
Know Your Way Around Coding Transport Accidents
Hint: look for details about the type of vehicle involved in the accident in the [...]

View All