A patient came in for a trial spinal cord stimulator placement. Two leads were to be placed. The first lead was placed on the left side of T-8. The second lead was to go on the right side of T-8 but after multiple attempts (x5) the lead was in the anterior epidural space. There were no other interspaces available for the lead because all other interspaces were fused and the lead was finally abandoned. Only one lead was placed.
I asked the physician and he said he was unable to place the 2nd lead and removed it. The leads were purchased by the practice.
Will we be able to be reimbursed for the device even though it wasn't implanted? How should this be billed?
How should this be billed for the physician? I know I can bill for placement of the one lead but what do I do about the other lead as far as the physician bill? Bill it as if it were placed? Bill it with a modifier for reduced services?
This has never happened before so I'm not sure what is the correct way to do this.
Thanks for any help you can give.
I asked the physician and he said he was unable to place the 2nd lead and removed it. The leads were purchased by the practice.
Will we be able to be reimbursed for the device even though it wasn't implanted? How should this be billed?
How should this be billed for the physician? I know I can bill for placement of the one lead but what do I do about the other lead as far as the physician bill? Bill it as if it were placed? Bill it with a modifier for reduced services?
This has never happened before so I'm not sure what is the correct way to do this.
Thanks for any help you can give.