Reader Question:
Interscalene Blocks
Published on Sun Oct 01, 2000
Question: Can I bill for interscalene blocks in addition to general anesthesia? The blocks would be administered after the initial procedure, such as for post-op pain.
New York Subscriber
Answer: Yes. For example you can bill for the shoulder and upper extremity surgeries that are known to have a lot of post-operative pain. The proper code to use in this situation is 64415 (injection, anesthetic agent; brachial plexus), also known as a brachial plexus block.
Sources for answers to You Be the Coder and Reader Questions: LaSeille Willard, CPC, Anesthesia Consultants, physician group in Frederick, Md.; Gina Graham, CPC, an anesthesia coding specialist in Hephzibah, Ga.; and Robin Fuqua, CPIC, a certified insurance coder for Anesthesia Consultants, physician group in Escondido, Calif.