Neurosurgery Coding Alert

You Be the Coder:

Nerve Root Stimulation Is Inclusive In 63282

Published on Wed Oct 01, 2014

Question: Our doctor did a bilateral decompressive laminectomy at the L1 and L2 along with an excision of a neural schwannoma. Also, it was noted that “motor mapping with electrophysiology monitoring” was done. He stated that it was intraspinal nerve root stimulation. Is there a separate code for this procedure or would it just be considered part of the main procedure done (CPT® code 63282)?

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Answer: Your surgeon is doing a lumbar laminectomy for removal of a neural schwannoma. You report code 63282 (Laminectomy for biopsy/excision of intraspinal neoplasm; intradural, extramedullary, lumbar) for this procedure. The intraspinal nerve root stimulation is considered part of the procedure and you will not be separately reporting this. This is one of a number of tools and techniques that are used to improve the safety and effectiveness of this procedure.

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You Be the Coder:
Nerve Root Stimulation Is Inclusive In 63282
Question: Our doctor did a bilateral decompressive laminectomy at the L1 and L2 along with an [...]

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