PRESS RELEASE: 12 ICD-10 Codes Added to the LCD for Evoked Potential Testing
March 17, 2016
PLANO, TX, March 17, 2016 – Twelve codes and adjacent levels related to the use of intraoperative neuromonitoring, or IONM, are now available in the Local Coverage Determination (LCD) for Evoked Potential testing in the Medicare contractor (Novitas J - H region) for Texas and surrounding states, thanks in part to greater advocacy for IONM from peer groups and companies like AXIS Neuromonitoring. Retroactively, as of October 1, 2015, the following codes are now available to use for IONM:
- CODE M50.11 Cervical disc disorder with radiculopathy, high cervical region C2-C4
- CODE M50.12 Cervical disc disorder with radiculopathy, mid cervical region C4-C7
- CODE M47.22 Other spondylosis with radiculopathy, cervical region
- CODE M48.02 Spinal stenosis, cervical region
- CODE M96.1 Post laminectomy syndrome, all regions (Cervical and Lumbar/Lumbosacral)
- CODE M47.26 Other spondylosis with radiculopathy, lumbar region
- CODE M47.27 Other spondylosis with radiculopathy, lumbosacral region
- CODE M48.06 Spinal Stenosis, lumbar region
- CODE M48.07 Spinal Stenosis, lumbosacral region
- CODE G83.4 Cauda Equina Syndrome
- CODE M43.16 Spondylolisthesis, lumbar region
- CODE M43.17 Spondylolisthesis, lumbosacral region
“The most effective care is achieved when everyone is speaking the same clear, concise language related to the care of patients,” said Lee Traweek, founder and president of AXIS Neuromonitoring. “AXIS is proud to advocate for all IONM companies in the use of our services in the operating room to assist in increasing patient safety and reducing the overall cost of care.”
AXIS has advocated for more IONM codes since 2015, and was successful in getting 15 ICD-9 codes for intraoperative neurophysiology approved and put in place in July 2015. Nine codes were subsequently added to the ICD-10 conversion, effective Oct. 1, 2015. Now, with the healthcare landscape focused more than ever on quality and outcomes, this is an important time to advocate for greater access to neuromonitoring capabilities in operating rooms.
Intraoperative neuromonitoring is most often utilized by surgeons during procedures for spinal decompression and fusion, select cranial surgeries, carotid endarterectomy, acoustic neuroma resection and peripheral nerve surgery. Carefully trained IONM technologists use specialized equipment to help localize neural structures, detect nerve roots in scar tissue, check for positional issues and even test pedicle screw placement in spinal surgeries. The goal of this monitoring is to identify changes in the brain, spinal cord and peripheral nerve function prior to irreversible damage occurring.
Adding appropriate ICD codes for the use of neuromonitoring services allows physicians and their teams to more easily utilize these services when it can benefit the patient. In a new healthcare landscape focused on quality and positive outcomes, a system that supports the needs of the patients and the healthcare professionals who treat them is of paramount importance. Clear and concise language around these services is an important step.
“Ensuring clear communication between providers and payors minimizes the burden on the patient and assists payors in approving medically necessary care,” Traweek said. “This is an important step in the evolution of healthcare that benefits all parties.”
