Wiki Neurosurgery - I have never coded

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I have never coded for neurosurgery before and am now the main coder for a neurosurgeon. Is there anyone out there with advice or that I can get contact info to be able to ask questions, etc.? I would really appreciate it!

Rachael Streight, CPC
 
This is one of the main speciality I code for...
You can mail me on write2balaji1@gmail.com. I'll surely help you with whatever I know...

There would be many other experts in this field who could help you...

Wishin you all the best:)
 
Same situtation!

I have the same exact scenario that Rachel S has! I would realy apprecaite a "life line" for coding this specialty. Can I please hook up with you two?

Thank you for you help,

Stephanie
 
I would also reccomend purchasing the Ingenix coding companion for Neurosurgery/Neurology. I use this daily. It includes pictures with each code, a description of the code, coding tips, sample diagnosis codes and CCI edits for each code as well as whether you can bill for an assistant. I think you would find this extremely helpful. I would also see if your office will send you to the AANS coding seminar. They have about 4-5 2 day coding classes all over the country. This would be extremely helpful, my office sends me about 1 every other year and I refer to the manuals we receive at these courses all the time.
 
Hey, My name is Tiffany and I am also a coder for NeuroSurgery specialty! I am new to Neurosurgery billing and coding and looking for helpful information. So, what does AANS stand for? And have you ever billed for any intraoperative procedures, like the EEG, SSEP, MEP?
 
Hey, My name is Tiffany and I am also a coder for NeuroSurgery specialty! I am new to Neurosurgery billing and coding and looking for helpful information. So, what does AANS stand for? And have you ever billed for any intraoperative procedures, like the EEG, SSEP, MEP?


Medtronic has some wonderful spine webinars. You also can receive free CEU's.

http://www.medtronic.com/for-health...es/reimbursement/spine-academy/index.htm#tab2

Below is the site for AANS.

http://aans.org/

Additionally, the email address below is for the "Spine Line". They are wonderful for answering tough questions and can often provide reading material to back up their info.

spinalcodingmd@medtronic.com
 
I am starting to code for a group of Neurosurgeons and could use some help along the way as well. I am going to attend the AANS Coding Course in Orlando in November. I hope this helps answer some of my questions. In the meantime, though I do have a question for a coder with experience in this area.

My doc coded a left decompressive hemicraniectomy with duraplasy and "limited debridement" of left temporal infarction, as cpt code 61323. My question is how to I know when to use cpt code 61322 or 61323. I would have used 61322 because of the "limited debridemen". He said if he removes any brain tissue, he feels that is a lobectomy.

Could someone help me understand. I don't want to overcode, but I don't want to undercode either. His note specifically indicates extensive debridement was not necessary. Also, does he need to document "contused brain tissue vs. severly contused tissue"?

Thanks for any help you may give. My email is jewing@chattanooganeurosurg.org
Julie E.
 
Last edited:
Julie,

I havent been able to find anything that references how much you have to remove for it to be considered a lobectomy but in the scenario you described, I would tend to agree with you, I would probably code 61322. Part of the intent of the code is to remove whatever is causing the pressure (usually a hematoma) and some contused brain tissue. In the Ingenix Neurosurgery coding companion it states that part of 61322 is removing contused brain tissue and blood clots ( which if your doc did a limited debridement would be part of this code).

For 61323 a lobectomy is done to remove severely contused frontal or temporal brain tissue. Since he did a limited debridement, it doesnt seem to fit 61323.

Thanks!

Kristi
 
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