Neurosurgery Coding Alert

Question: Encounter notes indicate that the surgeon implanted a device for epidural drug infusion. How should I report this surgery, and can I code separately for the drug supply or medical equipment?

AAPC Forum Subscriber

Answer: Your procedure code choice will depend on whether the device was a subcutaneous reservoir, nonprogrammable pump, or programmable pump. Once you’ve got that information, you can choose among these codes:

• 62360 (Implantation or replacement of device for intrathecal or epidural drug infusion; subcutaneous reservoir)
• 62361 (…nonprogrammable pump)
• 62362 (…programmable pump, including preparation of pump, with or without programming)

Drug/device rundown: You should be able to code for drugs or devices that your surgeon uses during the procedure—but always check with your insurer before coding if you’re unsure. The acceptable drug/device codes will vary by procedure, however.

Here’s a rundown of the drug/device codes you might be able to report with 62360, 62361, and 62362:

62360

• J0735 (Injection, clonidine hydrochloride, 1 mg)
• J2795 (Injection, ropivacaine hydrochloride, 1 mg)
• K0455 (Infusion pump used for uninterrupted parenteral administration of medication, (e.g., epoprostenol or treprostinol))
• K0552 (Supplies for external non-insulin drug infusion pump, syringe type cartridge, sterile, each)
• K0601 (Replacement battery for external infusion pump owned by patient, silver oxide, 1.5 volt, each)
• K0602 (Replacement battery for external infusion pump owned by patient, silver oxide, 3 volt, each)
• K0603 (Replacement battery for external infusion pump owned by patient, alkaline, 1.5 volt, each)
• K0604 (Replacement battery for external infusion pump owned by patient, lithium, 3.6 volt, each)
• K0605 (Replacement battery for external infusion pump owned by patient, lithium, 4.5 volt, each)

62361

• C1891 (Infusion pump, non-programmable, permanent (implantable))
• C2626 (Infusion pump, non-programmable, temporary (implantable))
• J0735
• J2795
• K0455 (Infusion pump used for uninterrupted parenteral administration of medication, (e.g., epoprostenol or treprostinol))
• K0552
• K0601
• K0602
• K0603
• K0604
• K0605

62362

• C1772 (Infusion pump, programmable (implantable))
• J0735
• J2795
• K0455
• K0552
• K0601
• K0602
• K0603
• K0604
• K0605.