May 7, 2015

Question:

Can I bill for programming (e.g., 95974, 95978) when the neurosurgeon dictates in the operative note that the system was “interrogated”?

Answer:

No. Interrogation is making sure the system works when connected and is included in the codes for placing the deep brain stimulator or vagus nerve stimulator. Separate reporting of a programming code requires documentation of the exact parameters the neurostimular was programmed to, such as pulse amplitude, pulse intensity, etc. The same is true for spinal cord (dorsal column) stimulator interrogation.