Anesthesia Coding Alert
Reader Question:
Report 64450 for Pain Relief Bier Block
Published on Thu May 13, 2004
Question: How should I code a Bier block for lidocaine infusion for pain relief (rather than anesthesia)? I've tried several codes but am unsure about the best one to report.
Nebraska Subscriber
Answer: Some coders report 90780 (Intravenous infusion for therapy/diagnosis, administered by physician or under direct supervision of physician; up to one hour) and +90781 (... each additional hour, up to eight [8] hours [list separately in addition to code for primary procedure]) for these injections.
Your better option, however, is 64450 (Injection, anesthetic agent; other peripheral nerve or branch) because it better represents the procedure. But because 64450 is for an injection and your physician performed an infusion, also append modifier -22 (Unusual procedural services) and send notes explaining the procedure. Your final option is 64999 (Unlisted procedure, nervous system).
Other Articles in this issue of
Anesthesia Coding Alert
- AAPC Conference Tip:
Verify Labor Epidural Codes With Carriers
Anesthesia or surgical codes might applyCoding for labor epidurals is a lot like dealing with [...] - Concurrency Checkpoint:
Follow Medical-Direction Guidelines
Administering labor epidural doesn't alter calculations
The ins and outs of medical direction -- reporting an [...] - You Be The Coder:
Know Options for RF of Varicose Veins
Question: What is the correct code for radiofrequency ablation of varicose veins in the lower [...] - Dig Into Your Patients' Pasts:
'V' Codes Can Boost Your Pay
Here's how to reduce denials -- and also increase your pay Patients often request anesthesia [...] - Reader Question:
Follow Add-On Rules for 75998
Question: What rules apply to reporting procedures with fluoroscopic guidance code 75998? Should I use [...] - Reader Question:
Don't Report TEG With CABG
Question: Our physician performed TEG (thrombelastography) during a coronary artery bypass graft case. Medicare denies [...] - Reader Question:
Determine Correct Chamberlain Code
Question: What is a Chamberlain procedure, and how should I report it?
Montana Subscriber
Answer: \Chamberlain procedure\" [...] - Reader Question:
Code by Surgery, Not Fluoro
Question: Our anesthesiologist was present during an ORIF (open reduction internal fixation) of an ankle. [...] - REader Question:
Report Reintubation With 31500
Question: Our anesthesiologist performed an emergency intubation one day, then had to exchange it the [...] - Reader Question:
Code Axillary Node Excision With 01610
Question: Which anesthesia code applies to an axillary node excision that is unrelated to a [...] - Reader Question:
Don't Apply 'Bilateral' to Anesthesia
Question: Our physician provided anesthesia for a bilateral periprosthetic capsulectomy of the breast. The surgeon [...] - Reader Question:
Subtotal Thyroidectomy = 00320
Question: Which code should I report for a subtotal thyroidectomy?
South Carolina Subscriber Answer: Several surgical [...] - AAPC Conference Advice:
Ease Your Disk Procedure Coding Pain
Hot tips on coding 3 common procedures Learning the ins and outs of disk procedure [...] - Terminology Time:
What Constitutes Pain?
Many causes lead to spine problems The term "pain" is so broad that many patients [...] - Yes, You Can Bill for Consults
Follow these 3 tips to know when to report them Medicare is increasing its audits [...] - You Be The Coder:
Technique Determines Impar Block Code
Question: What is a ganglion or impar block, and how should I code for it?
Mississippi [...] - Modifier Update:
Check Pump Refill Coding
Adding modifier -KD boosts pay for some infusion meds If your pain management group performs [...] - Reader Question:
Use 64640 for RF of SI Joint
Question: How should I bill a radiofrequency of the SI (sacroiliac) joint?
Vermont Subscriber Answer: Because [...] - Reader Question:
Verify Why Carrier Changes -59 to -51
Question: When our physicians provide anesthesia for a case and then administer a post-op pain [...] - Reader Question:
Opt for 64517 for Hypogastric Nerve Block
Question: What should I report for a two-needle, superior hypogastric nerve block? What fees apply?
New [...] - Reader Question:
Clearly Document Work of 01996
Question: What documentation requirements exist for daily epidural management?
Maine Subscriber Answer: Several guidelines help [...] - Reader Question:
Add -22 to Get Appropriate Pay for Popliteal Block
Question: CPT Codes does not have a code for continuous infusion to the popliteal nerve. [...] - Reader Question:
Report 64450 for Pain Relief Bier Block
Question: How should I code a Bier block for lidocaine infusion for pain relief (rather [...] - Reader Question:
Report 64483 for Lumbar Nerve Root Block
Question: What code should I report for a lumbar nerve root block?
Florida Subscriber Answer: [...]
View All
