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24: Coding, Billing and Ethical Issues

DOI:

10.1891/9781617051791.0024

Authors

  • Nuwer, Marc R.

Abstract

Professional administrative policies and procedures ensure patient safety, efficient organization and clear communication. Health care public policies include laws and regulations about such topics as billing, coding, reimbursement, staffing, devices and liability. This chapter describes some public policy issues that apply to neurophysiologic intraoperative monitoring (NIOM). The ethical and legal issues are general principles applicable to NIOM wherever it is conducted. Coding issues apply specifically to the United States. The U.S. medical reimbursement system allows for reimbursement proportional to the time, effort, equipment, supplies and risk involved in a procedure that requires a coding system to identify the service provided. Each specific procedure has a code number assigned in the American Medical Association’s Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) coding system. A technologist cannot provide NIOM without supervision. Many lack the suitable skills, knowledge, ability, training and experience to provide interpretations and respond to the more challenging moments of monitoring.