CPT Neurosurgery

[dms979]

I have a question in reference to craniectomy it was preformed to remove a subdural hematoma which I coded 61312 but the physician also removed bone fragments due to fractures.
Can I code 61570 removal of foreign body along with 61312
Thank You
Donna

 

[Alicia Scott]

Jumping in with a quick note. I don't think bone fragments can be considered foreign body unless it is bone from someone else. I didn't look up the codes yet but will this afternoon. Just wanted to put that out there off the top of my head.

 

[dms979]

Thank you Alicia, that is a good point.
My researching is leading me to believe I can't code for the removal of fragments. I'm in the same area same incision for the hematoma and my thinking is I can only code the hematoma. I just want to make sure I'm capturing everything that was performed

 

[Alicia Scott]

Really pay attention to the descriptions of the codes in the tabular. If you need to back up and look at the comments at the beginning of the chapter you should. There might be information regarding the global package. This is so in the integamentary section as well as others. I did not look up this code though so am just talking off the top of my head again. When you are new to testing or just coding always look around the code to confirm you are getting all the information you need.