Neurosurgery Coding Alert

CMS program memorandum transmittal AB-01-91, change request 1661, dated June 28, 2001, previews the 2002 ICD-9 changes, including the addition of new codes and deletions of and revisions to existing codes.
 
Note: CMS transmittal AB-01-91, change request 1661, is available for viewing on the CMS Web site at www.hcfa.gov/pubforms/transmit/AB0191.pdf.
 
Changes to volumes 1 and 2 (tabular and alphabetic listing of diagnoses/codes) of the ICD-9 will have little affect on neurosurgery practices because diagnoses commonly used by neurosurgeons have undergone no revisions or additions. However, the E codes used to support workers' compensation codes which neurosurgeons occasionally access have undergone extensive revisions.
 
Note: For more information on E codes, see the July 2001 Neurosurgery Coding Alert, "Meet the Challenge of Workers' Compensation Claims."
 
Volume 3 of the ICD-9 (procedures), although not used by physician offices, has revisions that will affect billing for neurosurgical procedures, e.g., spinal fusions, in certain settings.
 
CMS has instructed all Medicare carriers to begin accepting the new codes as of Oct. 1, 2001. Commercial carriers may choose not to accept the revised codes until Jan. 1, 2002, when the new ICD-9 codes will become mandatory for all payers.
 
The 2002 ICD-9 and CPT manuals will be available in November, and all physician offices are strongly encouraged to purchase the updated versions. Stay tuned to Neurosurgery Coding Alert for coverage of the relevant 2002 changes.