Anesthesia Coding Alert

Question: What is a TAP catheter, and how should we code for using one?

Florida Subscriber

Answer: Transversus abdominis plane (TAP) catheters are an alternative to epidural analgesia after upper abdominal surgery. Providers can also use it as an adjunct to anesthesia for abdominal laparoscopic procedures.

CPT^® added three new TAP catheter codes in 2015:

• 64487 – Transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block (abdominal plane block, rectus sheath block) unilateral; by continuous infusion(s) (includes imaging guidance, when performed)
• 64488 – Transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block (abdominal plane block, rectus sheath block) bilateral; by injections (includes imaging guidance, when performed)
• 64489 – Transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block (abdominal plane block, rectus sheath block) bilateral; by continuous infusions (includes imaging guidance, when performed).

If the provider uses block as part of the procedural anesthesia — not for post-operative pain management — do not report it separately from the anesthesia services code.