tci General Surgery Coding Alert - 2007 Issue 2

READER QUESTION: Separate Payment Unlikely for Microscope

Question: Can we report 69990 for separate payment if our surgeon uses the operating microscope during an operative session? What are the rules for applying this code?Nevada Subscriber Answer: For Medicare payers, a general surgeon shouldn't expect separate reimbursement for +69990 (Microsurgical techniques, requiring use of operating microscope [list separately in addition to code for primary procedure]). You may have better luck, however, with private payers.Medicare guidelines allow separate payment for using the operating microscope only with procedures 61304-61546, 61550-61711, 62010-62100, 63081-63308, 63704-63710, 64831, 64834-64836, 64840-64858, 64861-64870, 64885-64898 and 64905-64907. These are generally neurosurgical procedures and therefore...

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