Anesthesia Coding Alert
Reader Question:
Beware of Reporting 64421 Multiple Times
Published on Fri Dec 14, 2012
Question: Our pain management specialist administered intercostal blocks at T8, T9, T10, and T11. How should we report the procedure?
North Dakota Subscriber
Answer: Start by taking a close look at the descriptor for 64421 (Injection, anesthetic agent; intercostal nerves, multiple, regional block). It notes "multiple, regional block." The code is based on injections of 2 or more intercostal nerves and would be reported with a maximum of 1 unit of service. Therefore, you should only report 64421 one time.
Other Articles in this issue of
Anesthesia Coding Alert
- AMA Symposium:
Get the Scoop on CPT Changes for 2013, Straight from the AMA
Tip: Be especially watchful of your chemodenervaton coding. If no one from your practice was [...] - Modifiers:
Simplify Your P Modifier Usage With These Examples
Know how many extra units you can claim for each situation. Although not every payer [...] - Clip and Save:
Follow This 9-Question Checklist to Simplify Self-Audits
Hint: It all hinges on the documentation. Even if the OIG hasn’t targeted your practice [...] - ICD-10:
Prepare for Congenital Heart Defect Diagnosis Change to Q25.0
Tip: Remember to include ‘personal history’ diagnosis. Once ICD-10 goes into effect in October 2014, [...] - You Be the Coder:
Coding for Follow-Up CABG Anesthesia
Question: A patient underwent CABG one day, and it was reopened the next. The same [...] - Reader Question:
Focus on Reason for Procedure When Choosing a Diagnosis
Question: Should the ICD-9 placed on the 1500 claim form be related to the procedure [...] - Reader Question:
Surgical Site Determines 'Upper' or 'Lower' Abdomen Anesthesia
Question: Can you provide an example for knowing which area is upper abdominal and which [...] - Reader Question:
Start Counting Time at Induction, Not During Interview
Question: We’re having quite a discussion with our physicians regarding stop and start times for [...] - Reader Question:
You Can Collect Co-Pays, But Educate Patients First
Question: One of our providers returned from a meeting, saying he had talked to other [...] - Reader Question:
Until ICD-10, Go With 'Unspecified' Appendix Code
Question: Our physician provided anesthesia during a procedure to remove the patient’s appendix. The pathology [...] - Reader Question:
Check Notes for Bilateral Documentation Before Coding
Question: One of our physicians submitted charges for 64483-50 with the following documentation: "Utilizing fluoroscopic [...] - Reader Question:
Beware of Reporting 64421 Multiple Times
Question: Our pain management specialist administered intercostal blocks at T8, T9, T10, and T11. How [...]
View All
