Neurosurgery diagnoses, treats, and manages brain, spinal cord, and nerve disorders. Neurosurgeons perform various operations, from minimally invasive surgeries to sophisticated brain surgeries.
The different surgical operations carried out by neurosurgeons are identified and billed for using CPT codes in neurosurgery. These codes include various services, such as diagnostic techniques, surgical interventions, and postoperative care.
In addition, many neurosurgical operations have a global phase covering preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative treatment and are billed with the same CPT code for each.
This article will discuss the CPT codes used in neurosurgery and their descriptions.
Major CPT Codes FOR NEUROSURGERY
61500: Craniectomy or Craniotomy Procedures
This code opens the head to access the brain during brain tumor removal, edema reduction, or skull fracture repair. Craniotomy removes a tiny bit of the crown to access the brain. In contrast, craniectomy involves the removal of a much more significant portion of the skull to reduce pressure on the brain.
63047: Laminectomy, facetectomy, and foraminotomy
Surgery on the spine, such as laminectomy, facetectomy, and foraminotomy, is done to relieve pressure on the spinal cord and nerves. A laminectomy removes a single part or all of the spinal cord’s bony lamina. Facet joints allow movement between the vertebrae and are removed during a facetectomy. The procedure known as a foraminotomy entails the removal of bone or tissue from the region surrounding the intervertebral foramen, where the nerve roots leave the spinal canal. The execution of all three of these procedures in the same spinal area is designated by the CPT number 63047.
63056: Transpedicular or Costovertebral Approach for Posterolateral Extradural Spine and Spinal Cord Exploration/Decompression.
This code is applied to surgical operations involving transpedicular or costovertebral access to the spine and spinal cord from the back. This approach involves entering the spine through the vertebrae and removing bone or tissue to relieve pressure on the spinal cord or nerves. Herniated discs and spinal stenosis are two problems that this technique is frequently used to treat.
63710: Repair Process on the Spine and Spinal Cord.
This code is applied to operations involving the repair of the spinal cord or spine injury. This can include spine dislocations, fractures, and tumor removal. Depending on the damage or condition, an individualized procedure will be conducted.
63740: Under Shunt, Spinal CSF Procedures
Shunts are implanted to treat hydrocephalus or remove excess CSF from the spinal cord under this classification. During surgery, a tiny tube or catheter is introduced into the brain’s ventricles or spinal canal and linked to a valve or pump to drain or redirect CSF. Usually, this surgery is done to release the pressure built up from excess fluid on the brain or spinal cordTop of Form.
63030: Under Posterior Extradural Laminotomy or Laminectomy:
The surgical operation described by this CPT code involves the removal of a herniated intervertebral disc or the exploring or decompressing the neural components in the spine. The treatment is carried out via a posterior approach, necessitating a back incision to access the spinal canal. The lamina, a bony covering of the spinal canal, is cut away to get at the spinal cord and nerve roots. Next, the surgeon examines the area to determine the cause of compression before removing the herniated intervertebral disc or decompressing the nerve components.
63075: Anterior or Anterolateral Approach for Extradural Exploration/Decompression Procedures on the Spine and Spinal Cord
This CPT code specifies a spine surgery that uses an anterior or anterolateral approach to examine or decompress the spinal cord and nerve roots. This approach uses a front or side incision to reach the spine. The surgeon removes the afflicted vertebral body or body to gain access to the spinal canal and spinal cord. After that, the surgeon can examine the area to determine the cause of the compression and release the pressure on the spinal cord and nerve roots.
64483: Single-level injection performed with image guidance (fluoroscopy or CT)
A diagnostic or therapeutic treatment involving the injection of medicine into a certain level of the spine is described by this CPT code. The treatment is carried out with imaging guidance using fluoroscopy or CT to guarantee accurate needle placement. This kind of injection is frequently used to relieve pain brought on by spinal nerve compression or inflammation.
64568: Incision for implantation of cranial nerve
An implanted device is placed during surgery to stimulate a cranial nerve, as described by this CPT code. For this treatment, an incision must be made to reach the cranial nerve and implant the device.
64479: A transforaminal epidural steroid injection (TFESI) performed at the T12-L1 level
The treatment procedure described by this CPT code involves injecting steroids into the epidural space at the T12-L1 region of the spine. The intervertebral foramen, the opening through which the spinal canal’s nerve roots emerge, is used for the treatment. Injections of this kind are frequently used to relieve pain brought on by spinal nerve irritation or compression.
64633: Destruction by Neurolytic Agent (e.g., Chemical, Thermal, Electrical or Radiofrequency) Procedures on the Somatic Nerves
A procedure involving the use of neurolytic chemicals to eliminate somatic nerves is denoted by the CPT code 64633. Chemicals or other compounds known as “neurolytic agents” can treat pain or other symptoms brought on by damaged or dysfunctional nerves by damaging or destroying nerve tissue. Depending on the location of the afflicted nerves, the underlying ailment being treated, and other considerations, the specific technique employed during the treatment may change. Standard procedures include radiofrequency ablation, which uses heat to destroy the nerve tissue, and chemical neurolysis, which involves injecting a chemical into the damaged nerve.
61796: SRS cranial lesion simple
A simple cranial lesion is treated using stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS), as per CPT code 61796. SRS is a minimally invasive type of radiation therapy that targets a particular body part, usually the brain or other organs, with a high radiation dose. Small, well-defined brain lesions are frequently treated using SRS instead of surgery, mainly if they are situated in the brain’s more delicate or challenging-to-access regions. It can treat many illnesses since it has fewer side effects and a faster recovery time than regular surgery.
Conclusion:
Neurosurgeons and anyone in the medical billing industry should know the proper CPT codes for each treatment or service rendered. In addition to ensuring that the appropriate compensation is received, this can assist in avoiding mistakes and possible audits.
To ensure they utilize the most precise and recent codes for their services, neurosurgeons and medical billing specialists should examine the most recent edition of the CPT code set.