AMA CPT® Assistant - 2005 Issue 8 (August)
Neurostimulators: Analysis and Programming (August 2005)
August 2005 pages 7-8 Coding Communication: Neurostimulators: Analysis and Programming Complex neurostimulators are clinically available and have been shown to be effective in managing patients with neurological disorders. Deep brain stimulation is used to treat movement disorders (eg, rigidity, tremors, balance control). For example, with the electrode array placed in the thalamus, stimulation is used for treatment of essential tremor or tremor resulting from Parkinson's disease. A deep brain stimulator can also be placed in the globus pallidus or subthalamic nucleus for Parkinson's disease, essential tremor, and other conditions such as multiple sclerosis. With the array placed in these...
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Article Overview
This CPT Assistant article reviews how neurostimulator analysis and programming services were organized in 2005, including the distinction between simple and complex systems and the expansion of the code family for deep brain stimulation. It is aimed at coders, billers, and clinicians who need to understand the scope of the revised CPT guidance, the service categories discussed, and the documentation and timing concepts associated with programming sessions.
Why This Topic Matters
The article helps readers understand how neurostimulator programming services were differentiated in CPT and why deep brain stimulation required separate coding treatment. That makes it relevant for accurate reporting of neurologic device management services and for interpreting the 2005 changes in the CPT code set.
Article Sections
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August 2005 pages 7-8
Introductory context for the article and its place in the August 2005 issue. It frames the coding communication and the general neurologic device topic.
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Coding Communication: Neurostimulators: Analysis and Programming
Overview of neurostimulator systems, the clinical settings in which they are used, and the general coding issues involved in analysis and programming services.
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Simple vs Complex Neurostimulators
Discussion of how neurostimulator systems are categorized for coding purposes based on system characteristics and programming complexity.
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Stimulation Programming Codes
General explanation of how the programming code family is organized and what determines reporting of the programming services.
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Deep Brain Stimulation
Discussion of the 2005 changes related to deep brain stimulation and how those changes affected the relevant CPT code family.
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CPT Codes 95978-95979
Section describing the revised CPT code pair for deep brain neurostimulator analysis and programming, along with the surrounding reporting framework.
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CPT Clinical Example: Code 95978
Illustrative clinical scenario showing the type of patient and treatment context associated with the code discussion.
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Description of Procedure: Code 95978
Step-by-step procedural narrative supporting the clinical example and clarifying the service components discussed in the article.
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Evaluation
Discussion of how evaluation and management services relate to the programming session and how service time is considered.
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Glossary
Definitions of selected clinical and device-related terms used in the article.
What You Will Learn
- How neurostimulator systems are grouped for CPT reporting purposes
- How deep brain stimulation was addressed in the 2005 CPT revision
- What general service components are involved in analysis and programming visits
- How the article distinguishes programming services from separately reported evaluation and management services
- The clinical context in which neurostimulator programming services are commonly discussed
Who Should Read This
- Medical coders
- Billing staff
- Compliance professionals
- Neurology practices
- Physician documentation staff
Codes Discussed
Code Ranges Discussed
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