AAPC Nervous System Coding 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: CPT codes for nervous system procedures are found in which numeric range?
- 60000–60699
- 61000–64999 (Correct answer)
- 65000–68899
- 70000–76499
Correct answer: 61000–64999
CPT codes 61000–64999 cover all nervous system procedures including skull, brain, spine, and peripheral nerves.
Question 2: Which CPT code describes a diagnostic lumbar puncture (spinal tap)?
- 62270 (Correct answer)
- 62310
- 64415
- 61000
Correct answer: 62270
CPT 62270 is used for a spinal puncture (lumbar puncture) performed for diagnostic purposes.
Question 3: Open carpal tunnel release (decompression of the median nerve at the wrist) is reported with which CPT code?
- 64561
- 64721 (Correct answer)
- 29848
- 64722
Correct answer: 64721
CPT 64721 describes neuroplasty and/or transposition of the median nerve at the carpal tunnel (open carpal tunnel release).
Question 4: A neurosurgeon performs a laminectomy with spinal cord decompression at a single lumbar level without disc removal. Which CPT code is most appropriate?
- 63030
- 63047 (Correct answer)
- 63005
- 63012
Correct answer: 63047
CPT 63047 describes a laminectomy with decompression of the spinal cord or cauda equina at the lumbar level without disc removal.
Question 5: When selecting the correct CPT code for craniotomy with clipping of a cerebral aneurysm, the primary determinant is:
- Duration of the procedure
- Patient's ASA physical status
- The specific artery where the aneurysm is located (Correct answer)
- Whether intraoperative neuromonitoring was used
Correct answer: The specific artery where the aneurysm is located
CPT aneurysm clipping codes are differentiated by the involved artery (e.g., carotid, vertebral, anterior communicating artery), making anatomic location the key driver.
Question 6: An interlaminar epidural steroid injection at the lumbar level performed with fluoroscopic imaging guidance is reported using:
- 62322 (lumbar/sacral, without imaging)
- 62323 (lumbar/sacral, with imaging) (Correct answer)
- 64483 (transforaminal lumbar, with imaging)
- 62321 (cervical/thoracic, with imaging)
Correct answer: 62323 (lumbar/sacral, with imaging)
CPT 62323 describes an interlaminar epidural injection at the lumbar or sacral region performed with fluoroscopic or CT imaging guidance.
Question 7: Percutaneous implantation of neurostimulator electrodes into the spinal cord epidural space is reported with which CPT code?
- 63650 (Correct answer)
- 63655
- 64553
- 63685
Correct answer: 63650
CPT 63650 describes percutaneous implantation of a neurostimulator electrode array in the epidural space of the spinal cord.
AAPC Nervous System Coding 1
CPT codes for nervous system procedures are found in which numeric range?