CPT Coding Guidelines Review: Neurostimulator Procedures

This is a series of blogs about the importance of being familiar with CPT coding guidelines. Often there is extensive guidance preceding a subsection or range of codes for particular procedures, but coders are very busy so sometimes they jump right into the codes without taking time to review these guidelines, even though following or not following their direction could significantly affect the accuracy and comprehensiveness of coding.

This series is designed to help you become familiar with guidelines for significant procedures that you might not be acquainted with but do impact coding. The presentations are short and meant to generate awareness of the guidelines that are available in CPT rather than the application of guidelines to specific coding scenarios.

This installment of the series explores the guidelines related to CPT coding for procedures on neurostimulators.

CPT Coding Guidelines Review - Neurostimulator Procedures

Please watch this presentation to learn about the guidelines that provide direction in assigning CPT codes for procedures on neurostimulators.

Take Aways

• Electronic analysis and programming is separately reportable
• Electrode arrays contain more than one contact
• Neurostimulator systems are divided into two types of implants
  • Single component implants have a generator/receiver integrated with the electrode array
  • Multiple component implants have generators/receivers with a detachable connection to the electrode array
• For spinal nerve stimulators there are codes for both
  • Percutaneous and open placement
  • Single and multiple component implants
• Codes for placement of peripheral nerve stimulators are used for both temporary and permanent placement of percutaneous electrode arrays
• Some neurostimulator procedures are reported with Category III codes.

To find additional instruction in coding for neurostimulator procedures, explore the following courses:

• Neurostimulation (Intracranial) Coding in CPT
• Neurostimulation (Peripheral) Coding in CPT
• Neurostimulation (Spinal) Coding in CPT

Test Your Knowledge

For detailed explanations of the quiz answers, please refer to the end of this blog post.

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Quiz Answers and Rationale

Question 1: The answer is 64596. 64596 reports permanent placement of a peripheral nerve neurostimulator comprised of an integrated electrode array and receiver.

Question 2: The answer False. Electronic analysis and programming at the time of implantation, including test stimulation to confirm placement at the target site is included in the insertion and not separately reportable.

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The information contained in this coding advice is valid at the time of posting. Viewers are encouraged to research subsequent official guidance in the areas associated with the topic as they can change rapidly.