Anesthesia Coding Alert

Question: What is the appropriate code for sacroplasty with two needles?

Arizona Subscriber

Answer: Starting in July 2009, the Category III codes 0200T (Percutaneous sacral augmentation [sacroplasty], unilateral injection[s], including the use of a balloon or mechanical device [if utilized], one or more needles) and 0201T (Percutaneous sacral augmentation [sacroplasty], bilateral injections, including the use of a balloon or mechanical device [if utilized], two or more needles) become effective. Youll need to take note of your physicians notes, looking for whether the injections were unilateral or bilateral.

Furthermore: For radiological supervision and interpretation, see 72291 (Radiological supervision and interpretation, percutaneous vertebroplasty or vertebral augmentation including cavity creation, per vertebral body; under fluoroscopic guidance), or 72292 (... under CT guidance).

If bone biopsy is performed, see 20220 (Biopsy, bone, trocar, or needle; superficial [e.g., ilium, sternum, spinous process, ribs]) or 20225 (... deep [e.g.,vertebral body, femur]).

--  Answers to You Be the Coder and Reader Questions were provided by Scott Groudine, MD, an Albany, N.Y., anesthesiologist; and Marvel J. Hammer, RN, CPC, CCS-P, ACS-PM, CHCO, owner of MJH Consulting in Denver.