Advanced Search

Revenue Cycle Insider

Neurosurgery Coding:

Mind Modifier Choice on This Bilateral Surgery

Published on Thu Sep 24, 2026

You’ve reached your limit of free articles. Already a subscriber? Log in.

Not a subscriber? Subscribe today to continue reading this article. Plus, you’ll get:

Simple explanations of current healthcare regulations and payer programs
Real-world reporting scenarios solved by our expert coders
Industry news, such as MAC and RAC activities, the OIG Work Plan, and CERT reports
Instant access to every article ever published in Revenue Cycle Insider
6 annual AAPC-approved CEUs
The latest updates for CPT®, ICD-10-CM, HCPCS Level II, NCCI edits, modifiers, compliance, technology, practice management, and more

Other Articles of

September 2026

Urology Coding:
Don’t Stress About Coding Urodynamics Testing
Question: I have a report for a patient who presented to their urologist complaining of [...]

Practice Management:
Design Effective, Ongoing Healthcare Compliance Training, Part 1
Your onboarding and continuing education should be more than just checking a box. Healthcare workers [...]

Pulmonology Coding:
Remember That Imaging Guidance Is Included in 32555
Question: A patient presents with recurrent unilateral pleural effusion, worsening dyspnea, and unexplained weight loss. [...]

Pediatric Coding:
Code Strep Throat Encounters With Confidence
Understanding when to code symptoms and cause codes is key. Sore throat complaints are common [...]

Optometry/Ophthalmology Coding:
Recognize the Right Retinal Detachment Repair Code
Watch out for bundled services and related errors. The retina is a thin layer of [...]

Otolaryngology:
Pay Attention to Anesthesia and Device Delivery for Trouble-Free Office Tympanostomy Coding
Question: At the beginning of 2025, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) introduced [...]

Otolaryngology:
Use This Code for Otospongiosis When Specified
Question: Our otolaryngologist has diagnosed a patient with otospongiosis, but I am having trouble assigning [...]

Primary Care Coding:
Code What You Know Today — Not What the Results May Tell You Tomorrow
Don’t let anticipation cloud your coding. In the outpatient setting, ICD-10-CM requires you to code [...]

Neurosurgery Coding:
Know Purpose of Neurostimulator Electrode Arrays Before Coding
Also, remember to document more conservative Tx attempts. Neurostimulator electrode arrays are used when a [...]

Ob-Gyn Coding:
Get Ready to Code Rare Pregnancies and Vanishing Twin Syndrome in 2027
Familiarize yourself with the specific ICD-10-CM changes to ob-gyn codes. The 2027 ICD-10-CM code set [...]

Gastroenterology Coding:
Bust 5 Eosinophilic Esophagitis Coding Myths: From Diagnosis to Dilation
Hint: Biopsy sampling can be part of establishing or monitoring the disease. Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) [...]

Pulmonology Coding:
Evaluate This EBUS-Guided TBNA Case
Question: A pulmonologist in our practice performed a flexible bronchoscopy with endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS) guidance [...]

General Coding:
Take a Deep Dive Into Category II CPT® Codes
Using these codes can bring more context to claims. CPT® Category II codes provide clinicians, [...]

Anesthesia Coding:
Navigate Anesthesia Coding and Payer Details With Confidence
While more information is usually helpful, not all payers reimburse accordingly. Anesthesia plays an important [...]

Anesthesia Coding:
Know When a Postoperative Pain Block Is Separately Reportable
Question: When may an anesthesia provider report separately a peripheral nerve block performed during the [...]

General Surgery Coding:
Recognize the 3 Factors Needed for Soft Tissue Tumor Excision Coding
Question: I have an operative note for an excision of a subcutaneous lesion from the [...]

General Surgery Coding:
Watch out for Size, Status, and Strangulation for Hernia Repair Coding
Question: A 63-year-old patient who had an open incisional hernia repair with mesh five years [...]

Ob-Gyn Coding:
Identify the Correct Fibroid Resection Code
Question: A gynecologist performs saline infusion sonohysterography on a 42-year-old patient who presented with heavy [...]

Path/Lab Coding:
Understand How and When to Account for Different Differential WBC Counts
Question: Can you bill lab codes 85025 and 85027 at the same time? Can they [...]

Neurosurgery Coding:
Know Stroke Types for Accurate Coding
Question: What is the difference between an ischemic stroke and a hemorrhagic stroke? Texas Subscriber [...]

Diagnostic Radiology Coding:
Try Not to Overthink This Wrist Pain Case
Question: A 34-year-old patient presented to the radiology practice after falling on an outstretched hand. [...]

Oncology/Hematology Coding:
Mend Your Misunderstanding of Multiple Myeloma Coding
Hint: ICD-10-CM coding for smoldering multiple myeloma isn’t what you’d expect. Although multiple myeloma (MM), [...]

Podiatry Coding:
Know What Structures Make up the Lisfranc Joint Complex
Question: A 40-year-old patient was referred to our podiatry practice after they missed the last [...]

E/M Coding:
Master the Data Component of Medical Decision Making
Creating a template for practitioners can save you time and prevent errors. In this second [...]

Cardiology Coding:
When Coding, Link Cardiomegaly to Hypertension
Question: A patient with longstanding hypertension is referred to a cardiologist after a chest X-ray [...]

Urology Coding:
Pinpoint the Correct PCN Tube Codes for Placement, Exchange, and Removal
Is imaging guidance included or not? Find out. A percutaneous nephrostomy (PCN) tube is a [...]

ICD-10-CM Coding:
Know When Nonprovider Documentation Supports ICD-10-CM Code Assignment
Question: What diagnosis information can I code from documentation recorded by staff other than the [...]

Neurosurgery Coding:
Mind Modifier Choice on This Bilateral Surgery
Question: I have an operative report in front of me that is a bit confusing: [...]

General Coding:
Calculate the Correct J0897 Units for Denosumab Injection
Question: A patient with osteoporosis presents to the physician’s office for a scheduled injection. After [...]

Podiatry Coding:
Pay Attention to Code Notes to Correctly Report Diabetic Ulcer Cases
Question: I have a report for an encounter with a patient with type 2 diabetes [...]

Orthopedic Coding:
Code This Chest Wall Contusion Case
Question: A new patient visits an orthopedist after falling from a second-story window. The patient [...]

Diagnostic Radiology Coding:
Learn How to Locate Muscle Laceration Codes
Question: A 45-year-old patient presented to the radiology clinic with lower right leg pain. The [...]

Anesthesia Coding:
Code Anesthesia for Emergency Appendectomy with Severe Systemic Disease
Question: A 45-year-old patient with poorly controlled Type 2 diabetes and hypertension presents to the [...]

Path/Lab Coding:
Don’t Get Lost in the H. Pylori Testing Maze
Question: What should I look for in the documentation to determine which code to report [...]

Medicare Regulations:
Abide by the Particulars When Billing Global Surgery Postoperative Visits
Question: I am new to surgical billing and was wondering how many days after a [...]

Primary Care Coding:
Know the Circumstances in Which G0444 May Apply
Question: An established 70-year-old Medicare patient presents to a family medicine office for a routine [...]

Urology Coding:
Avoid Double Billing by Understanding Bundling Rules
Question: I’m new to urology coding and I’m having trouble understanding the bundling rules for [...]

E/M Coding:
Receive E/M Credit for Declined Testing
Question: Can a provider receive evaluation and management (E/M) credit for counseling a patient against [...]

Neurology & Pain Management Coding:
Keep Calm, Follow the Notes to Code These Nervous System Tests
Knowing what the documentation describes is vital to correct code choice. Patients who need autonomic [...]

Technology & Innovation in Healthcare:
Protect Your Backs and Safely Load Patients Into Ambulances
Question: We are a small ambulance service that provides emergency transportation and patient care in [...]

Ob-Gyn Coding:
Report IUD Insertion Following Vaginal Delivery Separately
Question: I have a report from one of our obstetricians. The physician performed a vaginal [...]

Pediatric Coding:
Focus on the Correct Infant Feeding Diagnosis
Question: A first-time parent came into our office with their 3-month-old stating the infant was having [...]

Compliance:
See the Pros and Cons of Shared Drives
Question: Our practice has always stored files on individual computers and in email folders, but [...]

Gastroenterology Coding:
Learn How to Identify Changes to Medicare Policies
Question: I noticed that Medicare made multiple updates to the local coverage determination (LCD) billing [...]

Optometry/Ophthalmology Coding:
Do We Bill Eye Exams to Medical or Vision Coverage?
Question: An established patient presented for their annual eye exam. The physician didn’t note any [...]

Emergency Department Coding:
Be Careful When Considering Coding E/Ms With Minor Procedures
Question: Is it possible to report a minor procedure and a separate emergency department (ED) [...]

Pulmonology Coding:
Navigate Cardiopulmonary Exercise Testing CPT® Codes
Know when the test is diagnostic versus for performance. Cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) is a [...]

Neurology & Pain Management Coding:
Opt for E/M if Visit Fails to Meet 99483 Requirements
Question: The neurologist performs a cognitive assessment for a patient with dementia. What parameters need [...]

In Case You Missed It (RCI Bonus Content):
Simplify Mohs Micrographic Surgery Coding
Key concepts every coder must understand. At first glance, Mohs micrographic surgery codes may look [...]

Medicare Regulations:
Medicare Regulations Stay Local When Following LCD Instructions
Question: Our western New York physician practice performed an inhalation treatment and plans to report [...]

Oncology/Hematology Coding:
Look to This Excludes Note for Correct Lymphatic KS Coding
Question: I am confused about how to code for Kaposi sarcoma (KS) of the lymph nodes. [...]

Neurology & Pain Management Coding:
Get Joint Size Right on Injection Services
Question: A 62-year-old established patient presents with four days of atraumatic right knee swelling, warmth, [...]

Emergency Department Coding:
Post-Op Seroma Can Result in I&D Encounter
Question: A patient presents to the emergency department (ED) several days after a procedure performed [...]

Compliance:
When Screening Comes With a Bill: Navigating Supplemental Breast Imaging Coverage
Keep compliance in mind when performing and billing screenings. A patient receives a screening mammogram, [...]

Emergency Department Coding:
Get All the Info Possible Before Beginning Burn Dx Coding
Make note of the difference between thermal burns and corrosions. Picture this: An adolescent reports [...]

Cardiology Coding:
Here’s What You Need to Know About Mechanical Heart Pump Coding
Hint: Location and approach determine procedure code selection. Accurate mechanical heart pump coding begins with [...]

Technology & Innovation in Healthcare:
Will Adding AI Save Your Organization Money — or Shift the Costs?
Learn how AI can scan your denials to identify high-value appeals. Adding artificial intelligence (AI) [...]

Optometry/Ophthalmology Coding:
Choose the Correct Chalazion Excision Codes
Question: I have an operative note for chalazion excisions. The patient presented with three chalazions [...]

Practice Management:
Move Stalled Claims Before Deadlines Disappear
Question: Our family practice has several unpaid commercial claims that have been in follow-up for [...]

E/M Coding:
Stress Less Over Split Services
Question: Our hospitalist and nurse practitioner (NP) both saw the same patient on the same [...]

General Coding:
Know When a Brace Supports Separate HCPCS Coding
Question: Our orthopedic practice dispensed a prefabricated wrist-hand orthosis to a patient with carpal tunnel [...]

Orthopedic Coding:
Crack This Spinal Fracture Coding Case
Question: An established patient with severe spinal pain presented to the surgeon for evaluation. The [...]

Oncology/Hematology Coding:
Follow This Advice for Accurate IV Hydration Billing
Question: A patient received intravenous (IV) hydration from 1050-1325 and chemotherapy from 1120-1305. That means [...]

Otolaryngology Coding:
Get the Answers to Your Frequently Asked HGNS Device Questions
Medicare gets up to speed with new HCPCS codes for recent technological advances. On Feb. [...]

Compliance:
Avoid DOS Errors With the CMS 14-Day Rule
Question: The provider collected a patient’s buccal swab and saliva on August 10. The saliva [...]

Pediatric Coding:
Carry the Weight of BMI Calculation
Question: Can the same equation that providers use for calculating adult body mass index (BMI) [...]

Technology & Innovation in Healthcare:
Could AI Deliver On-the-Job Ultrasound Training?
Question: We’re a medium-sized healthcare organization and have in-house ultrasound equipment. The problem is that [...]

Podiatry Coding:
Learn How Small Bones Can Lead to Big Denials When Coding a Sesamoidectomy
Identify what ‘separate procedure’ actually means. Two of the smallest bones in the human body [...]

General Surgery Coding:
Take the Pain out of Hemorrhoid Surgery Coding
Differentiate methods to select the right code. Hemorrhoid surgery has never encompassed just one single [...]

Primary Care Coding:
Code the Symptoms When ADHD Is Not Yet Confirmed
Question: A 32-year-old established patient presents to a family physician describing a history of difficulty [...]

Medicare Regulations:
Navigate Revalidation to Prevent Deactivation and Revocation
Focus on timely revalidation to avoid business disruption, interruptions in patient care, and financial losses. [...]

ICD-10-CM:
Know When to Add Diabetes Drug-Therapy Z Codes
Question: The provider documents type 2 diabetes with hyperglycemia managed with metformin, basal insulin, and [...]

Orthopedic Coding:
Prevent Denials With Defensible Spine Procedure Notes
See how detailed operative notes help your claims withstand audit scrutiny. Spine instrumentation and implant [...]

Diagnostic Radiology Coding:
Use This Handy Guide to Know How to Report Incidental Findings
Hint: ‘Incidental’ does not mean ‘never report.’ Incidental findings can create a coding gray area. [...]

Cardiology Coding:
Distinguish In-Person From Remote Cardiac Device Monitoring
Question: A patient with a dual-lead permanent pacemaker is enrolled in the cardiology practice’s remote [...]

Gastroenterology Coding:
Should You Code GERD Separately From Barrett’s Esophagus?
Question: I have an esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) report documenting Barrett’s esophagus without dysplasia and gastroesophageal reflux [...]

Practice Management:
Coordinate Provider Data Across Systems to Prevent Enrollment Delays
Question: How do I avoid enrollment and recredentialing delays when provider information must be maintained [...]

Path/Lab Coding:
Get Ready for This Major Prostate Biopsy Code Overhaul
Revisions make imaging guidance, tissue sample numbers, and sample area easier to code. Following its [...]

ICD-10-CM Coding:
Know the Guidelines for Reporting Chronic Conditions
Know when a stable chronic condition still belongs on the claim. Should you report a [...]

View All

Subscribe to newsletter