Anesthesia Coding Alert

Question: Recently we have received several claims denied as procedural modifiers required. What modifiers should be used for an injection procedure for diskography or multiple levels of the spine?

North Carolina Subscriber

Answer: Descriptors for codes 62290* (injection procedure for diskography, each level; lumbar) and 62291* (injection procedure for diskography, each level; cervical or thoracic) clearly state each level, and should be billed using the multiple units in the unit box. They should not be billed on multiple lines on the claim form. The procedural modifiers would not be necessary unless you are billing a Medicaid carrier that might have specific modifiers for surgeons. The specific codes for Medicaid carriers vary from state to state, so check with your local carrier to see which codes are appropriate. If this is for a patient with a private carrier, no specific modifiers are necessary to go along with the claim.