Reader Question:
Know Injection Location Before Coding
Published on Mon Nov 22, 2004
Question: How should I report bilateral spermatic cord injections with bupivicaine and methylprednisolone?
Indiana Subscriber Answer: Base your coding on the type of medication used and the injection location. If the physician administered an ilioinguinal-iliohypogastric injection, report 64425 (Injection, anesthetic agent; ilioinguinal, iliohypogastric nerves). Check with the physician before coding the procedure if you aren't certain of the injection location so you can report it correctly.
HCPCS includes several codes for methylprednisolone; report the appropriate code from J1020-J1040 (Injection, methylprednisolone acetate), depending on the injection amount. Code S0020 (Injection, bupivicaine HCl, 30 ml) applies to bupivacaine; however, some carriers prefer J3590 (Unclassified biologics) instead.
Note: Medicare usually bundles these injections, so check with the carrier before filing them separately.