Anesthesia Coding Alert

Question: The anesthesiologist administered an intrathecal injection prior to a patient's hip replacement surgery. What code do we use for intrathecal injections with Duramorph?

Florida Subscriber

Answer: You're reporting an epidural injection, so will need to check the injection site and whether the physician administered a single-shot or continuous epidural. Once you have that information, choose from the four common epidural options:

• 62310 -- Injection(s), of diagnostic or therapeutic substance(s) (including anesthetic, antispasmodic, opioid, steroid, other solution), not including neurolytic substances, including needle or catheter placement, includes contrast for localization when performed, epidural or subarachnoid; cervical or thoracic
• 62311 -- ... lumbar, sacral (caudal)
• 62318 -- Injection(s), including indwelling catheter placement, continuous infusion or intermittent bolus, of diagnostic or therapeutic substance(s) (including anesthetic, antispasmodic, opioid, steroid, other solution), not including neurolytic substances, includes contrast for localization when performed, epidural or subarachnoid; cervical or thoracic
• 62319 -- ... lumbar, sacral (caudal).