Anesthesia Coding Alert
Reader Questions:
64483 and 64484 Are for Lumbar Nerve Root Blocks
Published on Thu Sep 09, 2004
Question: What code should I use for a lumbar nerve root block? - Answers to You Be the Coder and Reader Questions were reviewed by LaSeille Willard, CPC, anesthesia coder for the physician group Anesthesia Consultants in Thurmont, Md.
Florida Subscriber
Answer: You should report CPT 64483 (Injection, anesthetic agent and/or steroid, transforaminal epidural; lumbar or sacral, single level) for your first-level injection. Report each additional injection separately with +64484 (... lumbar or sacral, each additional level [list separately in addition to code for primary procedure]). Remember you cannot report modifier -51 (Multiple procedures) with 64484 because it is an add-on code. Some physicians refer to these as "selective nerve root blocks," so being familiar with the term helps if you see it on a chart.
Other Articles in this issue of
Anesthesia Coding Alert
- Modifier Know-How:
Understanding Discontinued Cases Can Make or Break Claims
Timing is everything for reporting modifier -53 When a surgical case is canceled, it's your [...] - Changes to ICD-9
Get Ready for ICD-9 2005: Changes to ICD-9 for 2005 will have little effect on [...] - Coding Checkpoint:
Test Your Canceled-Cases Skills
Hint: Details dictate how you report cases Many factors determine how you code anesthesia's involvement [...] - Carrier Update:
Check Your Pay for Fluoro Guidance With Spinal Injections
Will your carrier follow Aetna's lead? Aetna made a move this summer that was well [...] - You Be the Coder:
Check Diagnosis Code for Postpartum D&C
Question: Medicaid denies our claim for a case involving a D&C due to postpartum bleeding. [...] - Pain Management Focus:
Clearly Document Post-Op Pain Relief for 01996 Payments
These 3 steps lead to success The fees for global anesthesia codes include most of [...] - Reader Questions:
Report Conscious Sedation With Pain Procedures
Question: Can we code for conscious sedation during pain management procedures? If so, should we [...] - Reader Questions:
Use 00702 for CT-Guided Liver Biopsy
Question: Our physician provided anesthesia during a CT-guided liver biopsy. The procedure code crosses to [...] - Reader Questions:
Report 1 Code for Multiple Procedures
Question: Our physician provided anesthesia for periprosthetic capsulectomy of the breast. Should I append modifier [...] - Reader Questions:
64999 May Be Best for New On-Q Pain Pump
Question: What code should I report for the new On-Q pain pump?
Michigan Subscriber Answer: [...] - Reader Questions:
It's OK to Change EVLT Code
Question: Our physician performed anesthesia during endovenous laser treatment (EVLT) on the lower leg. The [...] - Reader Questions:
Watch NCCI Edits for Pump Refills
Question: Medicare denies our claims for reprogramming and refilling an implantable pump, saying that the [...] - Modifiers Make a Difference:
Performing 2 Services on the Same Date? Pick From These 3 Modifiers
Documentation explains the story, increases specificity Every coder knows that appending modifiers can help you [...] - Details Count:
Follow Strict Guidelines to Collect Modifier -25 Pay
These 3 checkpoints can help your Medicare claims Your pain management specialist conducted an E/M [...] - Carrier Update:
BC/BS Montana Adds Payable Diagnoses to Tendon Injections
Check your carriers' diagnosis code listings to ensure accuracy You're coding for accuracy, not for [...] - News You Can Use:
Watch Out for New ICD-9 Codes, Fluoro Guidelines
Upcoming changes - and retroactive ones - make a difference Expect an easy transition [...] - You Be the Coder:
Cryoablation for Neurolysis
Question: How should I code bilateral occipital neurolysis with cryoablation? Also, how should I code [...] - Reader Questions:
Purpose Dictates Regional Bretylium Block Code
Question: How should I code an extremity IV regional bretylium block for reflex sympathetic dystrophy?
Indiana [...] - Reader Questions:
Include Details for Post-Op Epidural
Question: Should I code daily management of a post-operative epidural differently if a CRNA performs [...] - Reader Questions:
Use 64517 for Superior Hypogastric Block
Question: Our physician performed a superior hypogastric nerve block procedure using two needles. How should [...] - Reader Questions:
Check With Carrier on 01991 and 01992
Question: We have some problems collecting payment when we report anesthesia services during a diagnostic [...] - Reader Questions:
Verify Diagnosis to Justify MAC
Question: Our anesthesiologist provided MAC (monitored anesthesia care) during lumbar radiofrequency ligation. He classified the [...] - Reader Question:
20600 Applies to Heel Spur Injection
Question: Which code should I use for a heel spur steroid injection?
Oregon Subscriber Answer: The [...] - Reader Questions:
64483 and 64484 Are for Lumbar Nerve Root Blocks
Question: What code should I use for a lumbar nerve root block?
Florida Subscriber
Answer: You should [...]
View All
