Anesthesia Coding Alert
Myelography Injections
Question: There seems to be a lot of confusion surrounding coding for myelography injections (62284*, Injection procedure for myelography and/or computerized axial tomography, spinal [other than C1-C2 and posterior fossa]). Should 62284 be billed in addition to diagnostic or therapeutic injections, such as 62310? Texas Subscriber Answer: A myelogram is a diagnostic study of the spine using injected liquid contrast material to aid in visualizing the spinal canal and associated structures. CPT 2002 indicates that 62284 is for surgical procedure only. Therefore, it is also modifier -59 (Distinct procedural service) exempt. Usually, this small surgical service (injection) is performed by a radiologist with the radiological procedure, such as 72240 (Myelography, cervical, radiological supervision and interpretation). Occasionally, a pain management specialist also may provide a diagnostic or therapeutic injection (i.e., 62310, Injection, single [not via indwelling catheter] of diagnostic or therapeutic substance[s] cervical or thoracic) during the myelographic procedure. If the pain management provider also performs the contrast injection, he or she cannot bill both codes because in this situation 62284 is bundled with 62310. Additionally, Palmetto GBA, the Medicare Part B carrier for South Carolina, states in its LMRP, "CPT code 62284 should not be billed when contrast material is injected into the epidural space during placement of an epidural catheter."
Anesthesia Coding Alert
- Use Physical Status Modifiers Correctly to Increase Reimbursement
Latest on Physical Status Modifiers (P1-P6) from Codify's Anesthesia Coder
[...] - Clarify Purpose of Services to Bill Research Care Correctly
Medical research often centers on procedures that include anesthesia (from special types of monitoring to [...] - You Be the Coder:
Spinal Endoscopy With MAC
Test your coding knowledge. Determine how you would code this situation before looking at the [...] - Coding for Treatments Associated With Chronic Abdominal Pain
The causes of chronic abdominal pain range from the identifiable, such as Crohn's disease, hernias, [...] - A Prescription for Coding Neurogenic Pain
Neurogenic pain results from damage to the peripheral nerves or the central nervous system. Patients [...] - What Coders Should Know:
Diagnosing and Treating Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction
" Recent studies have estimated that 10 to 30 percent of those who suffer from [...] - Reader Question:
Sciatic Nerve Block
Question: The CPT code for a sciatic nerve block is CPT 64445* (Injection, anesthetic [...] - Reader Question:
Injecting Anesthetic Agents
Question: Our pain physicians frequently use 64450* (Injection, anesthetic agent; other peripheral nerve or branch). [...] - Reader Question:
Myelography Injections
Question: There seems to be a lot of confusion surrounding coding for myelography injections (62284*, [...] - Reader Question:
Facet Joint Nerve Induction
Question: When a facet joint nerve injection is done by blocking the medial branch nerves [...] - Reader Question:
Spinous Process Injections
Question: We have recently begun performing spinous process injections, and are not sure which CPT [...] - Reader Question:
Attempted Labor Epidural
Question: One of our anesthesiologists attempted to insert a labor epidural but failed due to [...] - Reader Question:
Using the New Ob Add-on Codes
Question: We are still attempting to code correctly using the new OB anesthesia codes from [...] - Reader Question:
Anesthesia for Nonmedically Necessary Procedure
Question: Our anesthesiologist spent several hours providing anesthesia for a surgical procedure. The carrier says [...]
