CPT Coding Essentials for Neurology and Neurosurgery 2020

Are you a neurologist or neurosurgeon looking to stay up-to-date with the latest CPT coding guidelines? Look no further! In this article, we will provide you with essential information and insights into CPT coding practices specifically tailored for neurology and neurosurgery in 2020.

Understanding CPT Coding

CPT codes, or Current Procedural Terminology codes, are a standardized system used by healthcare professionals to report medical procedures and services. These codes play a crucial role in medical billing and reimbursement processes, ensuring accurate documentation and proper payment for services rendered.

Neurology and neurosurgery involve a wide range of complex procedures and diagnostic tests. Therefore, having a solid grasp of CPT coding guidelines is essential to correctly document and bill for these services.

CPT Coding Essentials for Neurology and Neurosurgery 2020

by American Medical Association (1st Edition, Kindle Edition)

4.2 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	21608 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Print length	:	3284 pages

FREE

The Importance of CPT Coding for Neurology and Neurosurgery

Accurate CPT coding is critical for neurologists and neurosurgeons to receive proper reimbursement for their services and maintain compliance with legal and regulatory requirements. Utilizing incorrect codes or improperly documenting procedures can result in claim denials, delayed payments, and potential legal consequences.

Additionally, CPT codes allow for accurate tracking of the types and frequency of procedures performed, which can aid in research, quality improvement, and resource allocation within the field of neurology and neurosurgery.

Key Updates for 2020

Each year, the American Medical Association (AMA) releases updates and revisions to the CPT coding system. Staying informed about these changes is crucial for neurologists and neurosurgeons to ensure accurate coding and billing. Here are some key updates for 2020:

• New Codes: Several new CPT codes have been introduced for specific procedures, such as neurostimulator programming and deep brain stimulation.
• Revised Guidelines: Certain CPT coding guidelines have been revised to provide more clarity and specificity, reducing ambiguity and improving accuracy.
• Deleted Codes: Some codes that are no longer relevant or redundant have been removed from the CPT coding system.
• Code Descriptions: The descriptions for existing codes may have been modified to better reflect the services being performed.

It is essential for neurologists and neurosurgeons to familiarize themselves with the specific changes affecting their practice to ensure accurate CPT coding and billing.

Best Practices for CPT Coding in Neurology and Neurosurgery

Here are some best practices to enhance your CPT coding skills in the field of neurology and neurosurgery:

1. Stay Updated: Regularly review the latest CPT coding guidelines and updates relevant to neurology and neurosurgery to stay current and accurate.
2. Understand the Procedures: Familiarize yourself with the specific details and nuances of each procedure to accurately select the appropriate CPT code.
3. Document Thoroughly: Complete and detailed documentation is crucial for proper CPT coding and billing. Ensure that all relevant information is included in the medical records.
4. Use the Right Modifiers: When appropriate, utilize modifiers to provide additional information about the procedure or service performed, which may impact reimbursement.
5. Seek Expert Advice: If you encounter complex or unique coding situations, consult with coding specialists, professional organizations, or coding experts to ensure accuracy.

CPT coding essentials for neurology and neurosurgery are continuously evolving, emphasizing the necessity for healthcare professionals to stay updated with the latest guidelines and changes. Accurate coding is crucial for proper reimbursement, compliance with regulations, and efficient resource allocation within the field. By adhering to best practices and continuously expanding knowledge in CPT coding, neurologists and neurosurgeons can ensure optimal patient care and efficient practice management.

Remember, accurate CPT coding is not only essential for the financial health of your practice but also for providing credible and transparent healthcare services to your patients.

CPT Coding Essentials for Neurology and Neurosurgery 2020

by American Medical Association (1st Edition, Kindle Edition)

4.2 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	21608 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Print length	:	3284 pages

FREE

Optimized for medical necessity and reimbursement understanding, this all-in-one resource focuses on the most important CPT® and HCPCS codes for neurology and neurosurgery, plus medicine and ancillary services codes chosen by experts who have taken into consideration utilization, denial risk and complexity.

CPT® Coding Essentials optimizes both CPT® and ICD-10 code selection with helpful CPT®-to-ICD-10-CM crosswalks and detailed explanations of anatomy, physiology and documentation. Other than the AMA CPT® Professional Edition codebook, this is the only book in the market with verbatim CPT®-panel–approved guidelines and parenthetical information specific to neurology and neurosurgery.

This is the ideal daily companion featuring useful, definitive specialty-specific coding information beyond what is provided in a full procedural codebook.

Neurology and neurosurgery coding and billing knowledge available in a single volume, conveniently superseding the need for multiple resources or years of experience.

FEATURES AND BENEFITS

• A subset of specialty-specific CPT® codes chosen by experts based on utilization, denial risk and complexity   
• Official AMA coding guidelines pertinent to the specialty and not available in any other specialty codebooks in the market
• Official code-specific CPT® parenthetical instructions
• Plain English descriptors that clarify for the reader the details of the service represented by the CPT® code
• CPT® Assistant citations
• Procedural illustrations
• Crosswalks from CPT® to ICD-10-CM
• National Correct Coding Initiative (CCI) edits to identify bundled and separately billable codes
• CMS Pub 100 billing guidance citations
• Facility and non-facility relative value units (RVUs) including global surgery days, physician work and practice, malpractice and total expenses as well as those modifiers that can affect relative values
• Additional chapters on terminology and anatomy, HCPCS codes, CPT® modifiers and ICD-10-CM coding and documentation practices
• Appendixes offering clinical documentation checklists and evaluation and management (E/M) guidelines