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Neurosurgery Coding Alert

You Be the Coder:

Ultrasound with Craniotomy

Published on Fri Feb 01, 2002

Test your coding knowledge.  Determine how you would code this situation before looking at the box below for the answer.
Question: Can we charge for ultrasound with a craniotomy? If so, which code(s) apply?

Ohio Subscriber

    Answer: Yes, you may charge for the intraoperative ultrasounds using 76986 (ultrasonic guidance, intraoperative). If the physician interpreting the ultrasound does not own the equipment used to administer the service, attach modifier -26 (professional component). The facility will bill separately for the technical component of the ultrasound (i.e., payment for use of its equipment) using 76986-TC.
 
An individual physician would never use modifier -TC. If he or she owns the equipment used to perform the ultrasound (or other procedure with designated professional and technical components), the appropriate code is reported with no modifiers.
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