Neurology Coding and Billing

Neurosurgery stands at the intersection of clinical complexity, high financial risk, and intense regulatory scrutiny. It is consistently identified by CMS, commercial payers, and the Office of Inspector General OIG as one of the highest-risk medical specialities due to high reimbursement values, technically complex procedures, and frequent documentation gaps. For medical coders, this makes neurosurgery not just another speciality—but a true test of advanced coding expertise.

The FIMC®-Neurosurgery Coding Course is purpose-built to prepare medical coders for this challenge.

This advanced, fellowship-level program goes far beyond basic CPT and ICD-10 knowledge. It trains coders to think like auditors, interpret operative reports like surgeons, and apply payer rules with precision. Participants gain a deep understanding of diagnosis-driven coding, global surgery rules, modifier discipline, and bundling compliance, all of which are critical to surviving and succeeding in neurosurgery billing environments.

In an era where OIG audits focus heavily on medical necessity, improper unbundling, and diagnosis–procedure mismatches, organizations are actively seeking coders who can protect revenue while maintaining strict compliance. The FIMC – Neurosurgery Coding Course equips you with the skills, judgment, and confidence to code high-risk neurosurgical cases accurately—without triggering denials, audits, or recoupments.

This course is ideal for coders who want to:

Move into high-paying, high-responsibility roles

Specialize in inpatient, surgical, or hospital-based coding

Become audit-ready experts in one of the most scrutinized specialities

Future-proof their careers in an environment where accuracy equals survival

If you are ready to move beyond routine coding and master a speciality where every code choice matters, the FIMC – Neurosurgery Coding Course is your gateway to elite-level neurosurgery coding expertise.

This is not basic training. This is speciality mastery. Visit www.pmbausa.com

FIMC® – Neurology & Neurosurgery Coding Course Modules
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Module 1: Introduction to Neurology & Neurosurgery Coding
• Scope and significance of neurology vs neurosurgery coding
• Outpatient, inpatient, and surgical environments
• Why neurology and neurosurgery are high-risk specialties
• CMS, commercial payer, and OIG scrutiny overview
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Module 2: Neuro Anatomy & Physiology for Coders
• Central Nervous System CNS
• Peripheral Nervous System PNS
• Autonomic Nervous System
• Brain lobes, brainstem, cerebellum
• Spinal cord, vertebral levels, nerve roots
• Cranial nerves and functional correlation
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Module 3: ICD-10-CM Coding for Neurology & Neurosurgery
• Chapter 6 G00–G99 guidelines
• Injury and trauma coding for neuro cases
• Neoplasm coding for brain and spinal tumors
• Acute vs chronic vs sequela coding
• Laterality, site, and etiology specificity
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Module 4: Cerebrovascular Disorders & Stroke Coding
• Ischemic vs hemorrhagic stroke
• TIA vs CVA vs stroke sequela
• NIH Stroke Scale documentation impact
• Inpatient admission and follow-up coding
• Common audit errors in stroke cases
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Module 5: Seizure Disorders & Epilepsy Coding
• Seizure vs epilepsy distinction
• Intractable vs non-intractable epilepsy
• Status epilepticus coding
• Medication-resistant epilepsy documentation
• Neurology and neurosurgery overlap cases
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Module 6: Headache, Migraine & Pain Syndromes
• Migraine with and without aura
• Intractable headache documentation
• Cluster and tension headache coding
• When symptom coding is allowed
• Medical necessity support
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Module 7: Neuropathy, Radiculopathy & Spine Disorders
• Peripheral neuropathy types
• Radiculopathy by spinal region
• Disc disorders and nerve compression
• Laterality and level specificity
• Neurology vs neurosurgery decision points
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Module 8: Movement Disorders & Neurodegenerative Diseases
• Parkinson’s disease and tremors
• Multiple sclerosis and demyelinating disorders
• ALS and motor neuron disease
• Progressive vs stable neurological conditions
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Module 9: CPT Coding for Neurology Evaluation & Management
• Office and hospital E M coding
• MDM vs time-based selection
• New vs established patient rules
• Prolonged services
• Teaching physician and split shared rules
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Module 10: Diagnostic Neurology CPT Coding
• EEG coding and documentation
• EMG and nerve conduction studies
• Bundling and NCCI edits
• Professional vs technical components
• Medical necessity rules
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Module 11: Neurosurgery CPT Coding – Cranial Procedures
• Craniotomy and craniectomy codes
• Brain tumor excision and biopsy
• CSF shunt placement and revision
• Stereotactic navigation and microscope rules
• Global surgery implications
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Module 12: Neurosurgery CPT Coding – Spine Procedures
• Laminectomy, discectomy, decompression
• Spinal fusion coding principles
• Corpectomy coding requirements
• Diagnosis-driven spine coding
• Level counting and approach documentation
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Module 13: Neurointerventional Procedures
• Mechanical thrombectomy CPT 61645
• Intra-arterial infusion CPT 61650 and 61651
• Bundled angiography rules
• Vessel specificity and documentation
• Common audit triggers
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Module 14: Modifiers in Neurology & Neurosurgery
• Modifiers 25, 26, TC, 59
• Surgical modifiers 22, 51, 58, 62, 78, 80, 82
• Correct vs incorrect modifier usage
• Payer-specific modifier rules
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Module 15: Medical Necessity & Prior Authorization
• Documentation requirements for approval
• Conservative management expectations
• Elective vs emergent neuro procedures
• Peer-to-peer and appeal support
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Module 16: Common Coding Errors & Denials
• ICD-10 and CPT mismatches
• Bundling and unbundling errors
• Missing or incorrect modifiers
• Documentation gaps
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Module 17: OIG Audit Risk & Compliance
• High-risk neurology and neurosurgery CPT codes
• OIG focus areas
• CMS bundling rules
• Audit defense strategies
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Module 18: Inpatient Neurology & Neurosurgery DRG Impact
• Neuro-related MS DRGs
• CC and MCC identification
• POA indicators
• Clinical validation vs coding rules
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Module 19: Real-World Neurology & Neurosurgery Case Studies
• Outpatient neurology cases
• Inpatient stroke and ICU cases
• Neurosurgical operative note analysis
• Documentation improvement exercises
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Module 20: AI & Technology in Neuro Coding
• AI-assisted neurology and neurosurgery coding
• NLP challenges in operative reports
• Human validation vs automation
• Future trends in neuro coding
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Module 21: Quality Assurance & Internal Auditing
• QA checklists for neuro claims
• Peer review processes
• Error trend analysis
• Continuous improvement
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Module 22: Final Assessment & Fellowship Certification
• Advanced neurology and neurosurgery scenarios
• Coding and audit-based evaluation
• Minimum passing criteria
• Award of FIMC® – Neurology & Neurosurgery Coding Fellowship
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Course Outcome
Graduates of this fellowship will be able to:
• Confidently code complex neurology and neurosurgery cases
• Prevent denials and withstand audits
• Interpret operative reports with precision
• Transition into high-demand neuro specialty coding roles