March 29, 2018

Question:
One of my neurosurgeons saw a new patient in the office for evaluation of neck pain after an MVA.  The patient had a type III odontoid fracture and another provider, in a different state, placed a halo 2½ months ago.  My provider decided to remove the halo.  Can he bill for the halo removal and, if so, what code is it?

Answer:
Yes, you can report CPT 20665 (Removal of tongs or halo applied by another physician) in addition to your E/M code assuming you have performed and documented a “significant and separately identifiable” E/M service.  So you’d report the following codes: E/M-25 and 20665.  However, if your physician or a spine surgeon in your group had originally placed the halo and it was removed in the 90-day global period, then you could not bill for the removal.

*This response is based on the best information available as of 03/29/18.